Reviews

birth certificate? passport? social security card? drivers licence? bank account information?? do they just not need these things back from their parents? did nobody think?

gina_readsbooks's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

4.0

“Bodies are fucking weird. Especially when it feels like you don’t belong in yours.”

This was just a great story, especially in how it handles such difficult subject matter. At the heart of this is Ben, who’s just trying to figure themself out.

I went into this book completely blind, and I think that helped me feel captivated by Ben’s story. They’re nonbinary, and when they come out to their parents, they’re immediately kicked out. They reconnect with their sister, Hannah, but there’s still some lingering resentment. Their arc is so heartbreaking and heartwarming, and it’s portrayed so well.

Ben reluctantly starts therapy, but as time goes on it’s clear that it’s helping them. They find a trust in their doctor as well as friends at their new school. Ben struggles with coming out to their new friend group, clearly traumatized by their parents’ reaction. The support they find in them, though, is clearly so important.

Books like this are invaluable. I didn’t see stories like this growing up, and while I don’t identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community, I think reading and listening and understanding stores like this are so important. This is the kind of book that will find its way into the hands of someone who needs it.

The audiobook is also really great, and M.W. Wilson does a great job with the narration.

artsymama03's review against another edition

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5.0

Great YA novel. Really helps put things in perspective what some teens go through because of their sexuality. Really enjoyed this.

rebeccasreadingrambles's review against another edition

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5.0

Wow wow wow. This book. All the emotions. I want to just squeeze Benji (though I wouldn't if they didn't want me to). I cannot imagine the courage and pressure that it took for Benji to come out to their parents and I was absolutely furious at their parents and feeling desolation for them watching it unfold. Everyone's coming out story is personal and powerful and it breaks my heart to read about Benji's and how their story must have happened similarly to so many others. It was also crushing when they talk about how they have to "come out" for the rest of their life, against everyone's assumptions. The book is beautifully written and felt so real; so emotional with pieces of hope and growth for those who love and support them. I could really feel everything they were going through thanks to the writing and a glimpse inside their head. The scenes with their parents were brutally tough to read about.

And Nathan! Everyone needs a friend like Nathan. Caring, compassionate and always full of humor, but can be serious and thoughtful when he needs to be. I didn't mind the slow burn of their friendship forming because you could feel how Ben had to bring down every wall they had formed to protect themselves, and that isn't something that happens overnight. I love the secondary characters so much and everyone who supported them, even when they didn't truly know what Ben was going through. I love reading about their art and their mentor and best friend Mariam. The ending made me smile so much and I was left more with a feeling of hope than I had for most of the book.

renee_3011's review against another edition

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4.5

if you feel like getting your heart ripped out of your chest but then also stitched back together again this is the book for you bestie.

an incredible exploration of trauma and how parental abuse can affect siblings very differently and how it can build resentment between siblings. very realistic in how hard it is to let people in again after suffering through a traumatic experience and very realistic portrayal of anxiety and depression for me personally.

feel like the scenes with the therapist really added to the story and they were often some of my favourite moments.

it's for sure a slow burn romance, but it makes so much sense within the story and just felt like a realistic development.

foxtr0t_'s review against another edition

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This was so good for my non-binary heart.

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