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americattt's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
“What about them?”
“Don’t they mean something?”
His words make my stomach drop. I don’t know, maybe he’s right. But I don’t think he realizes how difficult it can be to forget all the mistakes when I know they’re my fault. When I know I should have caught them. “It’s hard to be proud of something you messed up, even if everything around it is perfect.”
“Don’t ignore the problems,” he says. “Learn from them. But also, don’t knock what you get right. Every success deserves a celebration.”
Graphic: Homophobia, Transphobia, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Dysphoria
Minor: Child abuse
asipofcozy's review
- 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
4.0
What I think this book does really well at is showing the other side of reality and coming out. We are starting to really see an uptick in LGBTQIAP+ literature (which I am very grateful for). However, many of the books out there portray a lot positive coming-outs, which we need to feel hopeful, but at the same time we also need the ones where there isn't a positive coming out, like in the case of Benji coming out to their parents and being kicked-out.
I am not saying we shouldn't have all the positive examples of coming-out but for some of us coming-out was not a positive experience and we are left wondering, hoping will it get better? How can we move on from this? Can we still be accepted? Benji feels all of this and more, struggling through anxiety and depression and fear of coming out ever again. I connected with them on such a large scale.
My only critique would be that I wanted more, I wanted more of the characters, of the ending plot, of Nathan and Benji. More of Benji growing and gaining confidence. However, it seems like there is a Novella that is available to us so definitely picking it up :).
Graphic: Grief, Transphobia, Homophobia, Abandonment, Mental illness, and Outing
Minor: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Child abuse
Also contains some body dysmorphiamortalmarz's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Homophobia, and Child abuse
bookishmillennial's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
I thought this was a heavy but precious read about an 18-year-old senior year student who comes out to their parents as nonbinary. Mason explains that they needed this story when they were younger & I hope that young readers who may be questioning the road ahead in coming out to those they love find some hope and comfort in this book.
Are there challenging and heartbreaking parts of Benji’s journey? Absolutely, and I’m sure there’s still more to come as they grow up beyond the epilogue of this book (of what I’d imagine haha) but I really enjoyed this coming-of-age and reunited sibling story so much. I appreciated the representation of going to talk therapy, and normalizing medication, rather than demonizing and stigmatizing it.
Thank you for a lovely read and sweet characters who are trying their best, Mason!
Graphic: Abandonment, Child abuse, and Transphobia
Minor: Pregnancy
axel_p's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Minor: Physical abuse, Vomit, Abandonment, Alcohol, Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Transphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, and Outing
danielle2121's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Me and probably 90% of my friends all fall into the lgbtqia+ spectrum somewhere so, sooo much of this book was extremely relatable in many ways, but also very educational too! I love learning new things about this beautiful community I’m in and I will never say no to a queer book about a non binary character written by a non binary author too! You could really tell the authenticity of every word written, it was wonderful to read.
Ben and Nathan please get in my pocket so I can protect you and let you be happy for the rest of eternity. I adore them both.
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Emotional abuse, and Abandonment
Minor: Child abuse
rickireadss's review against another edition
4.25
⚠️: transphobia, panic attacks/disorders, homophobia, emotional abuse, abandonment, child abuse, religious bigotry, disordered eating, grief, mental illness, dysphoria, suicidal thoughts
Graphic: Grief, Religious bigotry, Panic attacks/disorders, Emotional abuse, Transphobia, and Homophobia
Moderate: Mental illness, Child abuse, Eating disorder, Suicidal thoughts, Abandonment, and Dysphoria
dannothedino's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Homophobia, Child abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Transphobia, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Mental illness, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Dysphoria, Body shaming, and Outing
Moderate: Alcohol
torispring's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, and Transphobia
Moderate: Homophobia, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Dysphoria, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Child abuse and Islamophobia
jodierose14's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Abandonment, Gaslighting, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, and Transphobia