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cyan_altaria's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
This is a wonderful book. All of the characters feel like real people, with their own thoughts and insecurities. I recommend this book to everyone
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia
Moderate: Deadnaming, Homophobia, and Outing
jo_lzr's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Violence, and Bullying
Minor: Suicide
leahlovesloslibros's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Dean Foster is a trans guy, but everyone thinks he's a lesbian, even his girlfriend. When he gets cast as Romeo in the school play, he slowly comes to terms with who he is, and he realizes he cannot wait any longer to let people know. The more he plays Romeo onstage, the more he feels the draw to be out as a trans guy, but he is worried about how his parents, friends, and girlfriend will handle it.
This story is so beautifully written. While I do not identify as trans, the author wrote about Dean's internal struggles so poignantly that I could almost feel them myself. I loved the relationships that Dean had with his friends, especially Ronnie. It is so important to have a core group of friends who love you as you are, especially for individuals who identify as LGBTQIAP+.I understood the struggles of Dean and Zoe's relationship as it transformed along with Dean. While I do not love some of the transphobic language and ideas that Zoe presented throughout the story, I think that it is a very realistic portrayal of how some relationships progress when one individual is going through changes to their sexuality, gender, etc. That isn't to say that all relationships see the same trials, but I appreciated that they didn't just gloss over the fact that Zoe had struggles of her own, relating to Dean's changes, and that they didn't get back together in the end, as I feel that would have been ingenuine and too "perfect".
Finally, I know that having parents who are not supportive of who you are is incredibly difficult. While I would have loved for Dean to have two fully supportive parents, I appreciated the realness that came with his mother struggling to understand and accept him for who he is. I really enjoyed reading the dad's character, as he kind of reminded me of my dad and how he loves and supports his children exactly as they are and tries to soften the blows a bit when it comes to a mom that can be harsher.
Ray Stoeve did a beautiful job with this novel, and I would absolutely read more of their books! I also definitely recommend this for both trans and cis individuals, especially teenagers and young adults.
Rep: trans MC, lesbian LI, BIPOC gay SC, Japanese gay SC, gay SC, trans SC, non-binary SC
This story is so beautifully written. While I do not identify as trans, the author wrote about Dean's internal struggles so poignantly that I could almost feel them myself. I loved the relationships that Dean had with his friends, especially Ronnie. It is so important to have a core group of friends who love you as you are, especially for individuals who identify as LGBTQIAP+.
Finally, I know that having parents who are not supportive of who you are is incredibly difficult. While I would have loved for Dean to have two fully supportive parents, I appreciated the realness that came with his mother struggling to understand and accept him for who he is. I really enjoyed reading the dad's character, as he kind of reminded me of my dad and how he loves and supports his children exactly as they are and tries to soften the blows a bit when it comes to a mom that can be harsher.
Ray Stoeve did a beautiful job with this novel, and I would absolutely read more of their books! I also definitely recommend this for both trans and cis individuals, especially teenagers and young adults.
Rep: trans MC, lesbian LI, BIPOC gay SC, Japanese gay SC, gay SC, trans SC, non-binary SC
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, Homophobia, Outing, and Transphobia
Minor: Deadnaming, Drug use, and Sexual content
Additional TW/CW: gender dysphoria, misgendering, brief mention of suicideashleereads's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Bullying, and Outing
Moderate: Deadnaming
Minor: Biphobia and Homophobia
lennie_reads's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
"You know what's not fair? Mom telling me I should dress differently my whole life. Me and my friends worrying about some jerk attacking us when we're just out living our lives. Me having to be a girl because no one ever told me there were other options."
This book follows Dean, who is already questioning their gender, after they are cast as Romeo in the school play.
I've read other books with trans characters but this was my first experience of meeting a character as they're still discovering their identity.
I loved being able to go along with Dean for the journey of discovery, self acceptance & coming out. I also found it very informative & helpful you are told about different types of binders, hormones & surgery options through Dean's research.
In the first chapter Dean describes themselves as white which I found refreshing. Often it is *assumed* that a character is white unless stated otherwise. And although the main character is white & it's a book about being trans, there are also multiple occasions where the author points out how different people's experience can be if they're black or POC. Dean's 2 best friends are Ronnie, a gay black guy, and Allison, a bisexual Japanese girl, they also have a skater friend called Jared who is white & straight. The fact that the world treats POC, especially Black people, differently in the US is also mentioned in reference to the Police.
At the beginning of the book Dean is in a lesbian relationship with Zoe & they have plans to go to college in NYC together.
This book deals with some heavy & sensitive issues regarding gender & sexuality within Zoe & Dean's relationship.
It also shows what it's like to not have supportive parents & what that can mean for trans people, especially trans people of colour.
We also witness how Dean is the victim of some intense bullying at school once he come out as trans.
The friendships in this book are amazing & I feel that a big focus for this book is found family & how important friendships are in the queer community.
It's a heavy book but so wonderful and I 100% recommend.
CW: Outing, deadnaming, transphobia, homophobia, violence, racism
This book follows Dean, who is already questioning their gender, after they are cast as Romeo in the school play.
I've read other books with trans characters but this was my first experience of meeting a character as they're still discovering their identity.
I loved being able to go along with Dean for the journey of discovery, self acceptance & coming out. I also found it very informative & helpful you are told about different types of binders, hormones & surgery options through Dean's research.
In the first chapter Dean describes themselves as white which I found refreshing. Often it is *assumed* that a character is white unless stated otherwise. And although the main character is white & it's a book about being trans, there are also multiple occasions where the author points out how different people's experience can be if they're black or POC. Dean's 2 best friends are Ronnie, a gay black guy, and Allison, a bisexual Japanese girl, they also have a skater friend called Jared who is white & straight. The fact that the world treats POC, especially Black people, differently in the US is also mentioned in reference to the Police.
At the beginning of the book Dean is in a lesbian relationship with Zoe & they have plans to go to college in NYC together.
This book deals with some heavy & sensitive issues regarding gender & sexuality within Zoe & Dean's relationship.
It also shows what it's like to not have supportive parents & what that can mean for trans people, especially trans people of colour.
We also witness how Dean is the victim of some intense bullying at school once he come out as trans.
The friendships in this book are amazing & I feel that a big focus for this book is found family & how important friendships are in the queer community.
It's a heavy book but so wonderful and I 100% recommend.
CW: Outing, deadnaming, transphobia, homophobia, violence, racism
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Transphobia
Moderate: Body shaming and Deadnaming
Minor: Biphobia, Homophobia, Outing, and Suicide
Suicide CW is in reference to a parent's friend in the pastimstephtacular's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Transphobia, and Deadnaming
melaniereadsbooks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was such a cute read. I loved seeing Dean come into his own and really learn who he wanted to be. I loved seeing all the friends who chose to support him on his journey. It was pretty sad to see the way some of the characters treated him, but overall it was a positive representation and I enjoyed it.
Personally, I felt like this was hitting the Romeo and Juliet references a little too hard--it didn't need to quote from the play quite so much. I did love the theater setting aspect though!
Personally, I felt like this was hitting the Romeo and Juliet references a little too hard--it didn't need to quote from the play quite so much. I did love the theater setting aspect though!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Homophobia, Deadnaming, and Bullying
Minor: Violence
alyxinthestars's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia
Moderate: Homophobia and Hate crime
Minor: Bullying
harrownova's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Light spoilers in the review--
I really enjoyed this book! I am not trans, and so many of the experiences detailed here are ones that I won't ever fully understand. But I am an educator of young people, and I did grow up with many friends who came out and transitioned while we were young. So I found this to be a powerful exploration of what I knew (the pain of breaking up after a member of a couple transitions, the pain of parents using the wrong pronouns and names) and also what I didn't! I loved the device of the play as a central feature and as a way for Dean to explore his identity. I loved his supportive best friends, and that not every friend was perfect in their support. That's real! I also was glad he had a teacher who advocated for him--who made mistakes, but who did fight for him and did stand up for him. As an educator, it's an important reminder to always stand up for our students, and to make sure sharing pronouns and gender neutral bathrooms are normalized in our schools.
I really enjoyed this book! I am not trans, and so many of the experiences detailed here are ones that I won't ever fully understand. But I am an educator of young people, and I did grow up with many friends who came out and transitioned while we were young. So I found this to be a powerful exploration of what I knew (the pain of breaking up after a member of a couple transitions, the pain of parents using the wrong pronouns and names) and also what I didn't! I loved the device of the play as a central feature and as a way for Dean to explore his identity. I loved his supportive best friends, and that not every friend was perfect in their support. That's real! I also was glad he had a teacher who advocated for him--who made mistakes, but who did fight for him and did stand up for him. As an educator, it's an important reminder to always stand up for our students, and to make sure sharing pronouns and gender neutral bathrooms are normalized in our schools.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Homophobia, and Deadnaming
camicapa's review
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
A perfect contemporary coming of age book for theater/Shakespeare lovers.
Great writing: simple yet at times perfectly on-brand with the drama of live theater.
I fell in love with Dean and all his friends.
My only complaint was the ending. It felt unsatisfactory. I finished the last chapter, and for a second, I thought that another chapter or prologue was missing. But no. That was it. There were a couple of plot lines I thought needed closure that didn't get one. But that was the ending. Weird. Nevertheless, I loved everything else.
Great writing: simple yet at times perfectly on-brand with the drama of live theater.
I fell in love with Dean and all his friends.
My only complaint was the ending. It felt unsatisfactory. I finished the last chapter, and for a second, I thought that another chapter or prologue was missing. But no. That was it. There were a couple of plot lines I thought needed closure that didn't get one. But that was the ending. Weird. Nevertheless, I loved everything else.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia, Homophobia, and Violence
Minor: Suicide