Scan barcode
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
More...