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sarahmcg's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
“It’s just three words: I am nonbinary. But that’s all it takes to change everything.”
CW/TW ⚠️ misgendering, homophobia, anxiety/depression (detailed panic attack), child abuse (mental, with a mention of physical).
Y’all! This book 🥹 as much as it broke my heart, it was also joyful, a celebration of friendship, and had hope shining through. As a YA book, the author takes such care in addressing these heavy topics.
Even though Ben’s parents truly failed them, their sister, her husband, Mariam, Mrs. Liu, and the friends they make at their new school really take up the baton and provide Ben with such a nurturing and supportive environment as they heal from everything they’ve been through.
Some of my fave things from this little cutie book:
- Grump x sunshine! ☀️
- Mental health rep of anxiety/depression
- LGBTQIA+ rep including nonbinary MC, NB/M relationship, bisexual rep
- Found family 🥹💖
- Star Wars references! 💫
- Nathan owning 5 annotated copies of Pride & Prejudice and referencing Mr. Darcy 🫠
- Some of the characters & vibes reminded me of Heartstopper (Ben is like Charlie, always saying sorry too much!) and Felix Ever After (those messy teenage years trying to figure out your life and identity!) - other 5⭐️ reads I’d recommend if you haven’t checked out yet!
CW/TW ⚠️ misgendering, homophobia, anxiety/depression (detailed panic attack), child abuse (mental, with a mention of physical).
Y’all! This book 🥹 as much as it broke my heart, it was also joyful, a celebration of friendship, and had hope shining through. As a YA book, the author takes such care in addressing these heavy topics.
Even though Ben’s parents truly failed them, their sister, her husband, Mariam, Mrs. Liu, and the friends they make at their new school really take up the baton and provide Ben with such a nurturing and supportive environment as they heal from everything they’ve been through.
Some of my fave things from this little cutie book:
- Grump x sunshine! ☀️
- Mental health rep of anxiety/depression
- LGBTQIA+ rep including nonbinary MC, NB/M relationship, bisexual rep
- Found family 🥹💖
- Star Wars references! 💫
- Nathan owning 5 annotated copies of Pride & Prejudice and referencing Mr. Darcy 🫠
- Some of the characters & vibes reminded me of Heartstopper (Ben is like Charlie, always saying sorry too much!) and Felix Ever After (those messy teenage years trying to figure out your life and identity!) - other 5⭐️ reads I’d recommend if you haven’t checked out yet!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Child abuse, Dysphoria, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Suicidal thoughts
zojkajacenko's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
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? Yes
5.0
Probably my new all time favorite. One of the best books I have ever read. It was so relatable on so many levels. I am not non-binary, but I am trans and it made me feel seen, understood. I never thought I would be able to see myself represented so well in a book. You can learn so much from this book, I encourage everyone to read it. It is truly a masterpiece.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Homophobia, and Child abuse
leni_cant's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Panic attacks/disorders, and Abandonment
Moderate: Physical abuse and Dysphoria
Minor: Medical content, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Vomit, Hate crime, and Injury/Injury detail
elbe1's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Child abuse, and Homophobia
Moderate: Dysphoria
const_elle_ations's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
slow-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia
Moderate: Homophobia and Child abuse
soulofsam's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I don't even know where to start reviewing this book or put into words how much it means to me.
I have never felt so seen or understood when reading a book and it was the most beautiful experience to have while reading. I didn't relate to all the things Ben experienced but so many little details they mentioned when working through their identity resonated with me. Figuring out who you are as a nonbinary person and coming out is never one and done but is something that shifts and changes and it was beautiful to see that recognized in a book. I loved how the topic of mental health was discussed and it felt represented so accurately and delicately. This is by no means an easy book and I cried both happy and sad tears when reading it but I love that it always felt hopeful, any lows and struggles were accompanied by the hope that the feelings aren't final and it can change for the better. Not in an unrealistic way either and people messed up and the relationship between Ben and Hannah was flawed but it was presented in such a human way that I enjoyed reading about their relationship so much. The inclusion of the importance of internet friends in discovering oneself and the comfort they can give and so many other little queer moments were so familiar to me it made me heart feel all warm and happy.
I knew this would be a book I would love about 1/3 in and I was not wrong at all and I am just not ready to leave the little world that it created around Ben.
I have never felt so seen or understood when reading a book and it was the most beautiful experience to have while reading. I didn't relate to all the things Ben experienced but so many little details they mentioned when working through their identity resonated with me. Figuring out who you are as a nonbinary person and coming out is never one and done but is something that shifts and changes and it was beautiful to see that recognized in a book. I loved how the topic of mental health was discussed and it felt represented so accurately and delicately. This is by no means an easy book and I cried both happy and sad tears when reading it but I love that it always felt hopeful, any lows and struggles were accompanied by the hope that the feelings aren't final and it can change for the better. Not in an unrealistic way either and people messed up and the relationship between Ben and Hannah was flawed but it was presented in such a human way that I enjoyed reading about their relationship so much. The inclusion of the importance of internet friends in discovering oneself and the comfort they can give and so many other little queer moments were so familiar to me it made me heart feel all warm and happy.
I knew this would be a book I would love about 1/3 in and I was not wrong at all and I am just not ready to leave the little world that it created around Ben.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Child abuse, Mental illness, and Abandonment
Moderate: Dysphoria
Minor: Physical abuse
riverlloyd's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia and Child abuse
Moderate: Homophobia
hazel_georgene's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia and Mental illness
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Homophobia and Physical abuse
nikexistiertnik's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
5.0
i'm actually in love with this book.
i spent my day reading it and when i tried to do anything else (like watching horseland or taking a nap) it didn't take long for me to pick it up again.
i don't know what it was, but i found myself laughing out loud, crying, squeaking and screaming, almost having panic attacks with ben, so i actually had to pause and concentrate on calming down before i could continue reading, but also getting hella excited and really having to force myself not to skip entire pages when there was too much tension and excitement for me to handle.
thank you for this story, i loved everything about it - the pain i felt, how much i could relate to ben, and the pure joy and happiness i experienced because of them.
and now i definitely have to check out mariam haidari.
i spent my day reading it and when i tried to do anything else (like watching horseland or taking a nap) it didn't take long for me to pick it up again.
i don't know what it was, but i found myself laughing out loud, crying, squeaking and screaming, almost having panic attacks with ben, so i actually had to pause and concentrate on calming down before i could continue reading, but also getting hella excited and really having to force myself not to skip entire pages when there was too much tension and excitement for me to handle.
thank you for this story, i loved everything about it - the pain i felt, how much i could relate to ben, and the pure joy and happiness i experienced because of them.
and now i definitely have to check out mariam haidari.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Transphobia, Abandonment, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Alcohol, Child abuse, Dysphoria, Homophobia, Deadnaming, and Medical content
Minor: Religious bigotry, Vomit, Outing, and Eating disorder
bookishlesbian's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Transphobia, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Mental illness