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its_vendetta's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Loved it!! Such a cute and inspiring story about queer joy and finding and accepting yourself. Listened to on audio and it was great
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Infidelity, and Transphobia
Moderate: Bullying and Deadnaming
Minor: Racism, Medical trauma, and Toxic relationship
purplepenning's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Read during the #TransRightsReadathon. A carefully written trans coming-of-age story by a trans author. You'll find: small town high school drama, a tight group of self-described queerdos, an old flame that continues to flicker and singe, a high-pressure piano competition, a super cool new kid in town (who doodles swoon-worthy happy breakfast foods), a brief fake dating trope (referenced as "romance fraud," which made me laugh every time), some bigotry and microaggressions and non-malicious missteps, wonderful terrifying tailors and slightly maniacal maestros, and the powerful joy of self discovery and expression.
(If my tolerance for high school drama, love triangles, and partners kissing non-partners was higher, the star-rating would've also been higher. It's an excellent debut and I'll look forward to the author's future books!)
(If my tolerance for high school drama, love triangles, and partners kissing non-partners was higher, the star-rating would've also been higher. It's an excellent debut and I'll look forward to the author's future books!)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Homophobia, Infidelity, Biphobia, Deadnaming, Dysphoria, Transphobia, Bullying, Medical content, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Racism and Sexual content
Carefully written by a trans author who cleverly conveys angst, anxiety, and reality without allowing it to feel gratuitously traumatizing or to overtake the joy of the story. YMMV, of course.hilwithonel's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book was... beautiful.
The prose were lovely while still having that YA approachability. All of the main characters were multi faceted. All the plot points were equally special: the music competition, Mile's identity, and the love story.
I can't personally speak to the challenges Miles dealt with as a trans male teenager but I can say that his heartbreak, his mistakes, and his growth were all just beautifully told.
Absolutely loved.
The prose were lovely while still having that YA approachability. All of the main characters were multi faceted. All the plot points were equally special: the music competition, Mile's identity, and the love story.
I can't personally speak to the challenges Miles dealt with as a trans male teenager but I can say that his heartbreak, his mistakes, and his growth were all just beautifully told.
Absolutely loved.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Homophobia, and Deadnaming
Moderate: Infidelity and Toxic relationship
Minor: Bullying and Racism
lizslazylibrary's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
this coming of age story was written so well i felt like i was in miles’ shoes the whole time. growing up is scary and even more scary when you’re trans, edward does a beautiful job at creating the anxiety and making the reader feel every ounce of it. this is a quick read packed with friendship, love, heartbreak, and finding yourself. i highly recommend this to everyone!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Toxic friendship, and Dysphoria
Minor: Toxic relationship
olliereadabook's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
to preface, i got this as an E-ARC from NetGalley. this does not impact my opinions on the book.
I rate this 3.5 stars.
I decided to request this book because it was a LGBTQ coming of age book. About a transmasc character trying to exist as themselves and deal with a breakup from their very cishet ex-boyfriend.
I mentally split this book up into 3 sections. The beginning was slow, but it drew me in. I liked how the characters grew, how we were introduced to them slowly, but not painfully slow. The two girls (Rachel and Paige) felt the flattest but that may be because they’re not main characters like Eric and Miles.
When I got to the middle, in the thick of the drama, it fell kind of flat. The same drama repeated twice. Once with the boys (Miles, Eric and Shane) and then once with the girls (Rachel, Paige, and Josie). I know there was differences in the drama itself, but they were similar enough to feel repeated and flat.
At the end, what kept me waiting, was the tri-state competition and if Miles would win what he had been waiting for. Now to be honest, the outcome was not what I expected. It made me happy that it wasn’t what the reader would expect, and there was a spike of drama between competitors (and their piano teachers).
I’m glad there’s now queer books that cater to a variety of audiences, but a decent chunk of this book wasn’t for me, even as a Queer and Trans person.
Don’t let my review steer you from reading this, it is simply my opinion and how I view the book. If anything, allow it to help you decipher and understand the book more.
I rate this 3.5 stars.
I decided to request this book because it was a LGBTQ coming of age book. About a transmasc character trying to exist as themselves and deal with a breakup from their very cishet ex-boyfriend.
I mentally split this book up into 3 sections. The beginning was slow, but it drew me in. I liked how the characters grew, how we were introduced to them slowly, but not painfully slow. The two girls (Rachel and Paige) felt the flattest but that may be because they’re not main characters like Eric and Miles.
When I got to the middle, in the thick of the drama, it fell kind of flat. The same drama repeated twice. Once with the boys (Miles, Eric and Shane) and then once with the girls (Rachel, Paige, and Josie). I know there was differences in the drama itself, but they were similar enough to feel repeated and flat.
At the end, what kept me waiting, was the tri-state competition and if Miles would win what he had been waiting for. Now to be honest, the outcome was not what I expected. It made me happy that it wasn’t what the reader would expect, and there was a spike of drama between competitors (and their piano teachers).
I’m glad there’s now queer books that cater to a variety of audiences, but a decent chunk of this book wasn’t for me, even as a Queer and Trans person.
Don’t let my review steer you from reading this, it is simply my opinion and how I view the book. If anything, allow it to help you decipher and understand the book more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Homophobia, Deadnaming, Dysphoria, Bullying, and Transphobia
Minor: Sexism
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