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matheo's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Transphobia, Bullying, Dysphoria, Emotional abuse, Outing, Lesbophobia, and Homophobia
Moderate: Drug use, Hate crime, Sexual content, Violence, Body shaming, Racism, and Suicide
maple_dove's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
This book really made me think about my own situation with my parents and coming out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Bullying, Lesbophobia, and Homophobia
Moderate: Sexual content, Suicide, and Deadnaming
Misgendering (graphic), Harassment (graphic)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 suicide
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