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4.28 AVERAGE
4.28 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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:
Complicated
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This has some really beautiful messages about the need for queer community, the difficulties of being trans, the importance of one’s journey for gender identity, and knowing you are worthy of love.
However, the YA elements of teen first love, jumping to ridiculous conclusions, and mean and petty behaviour, plus the outrageous transphobia, made the main central plot difficult for me to enjoy.
I think there is an important audience for this book and I sincerely hope people read and find comfort in being seen and loved.
However, the YA elements of teen first love, jumping to ridiculous conclusions, and mean and petty behaviour, plus the outrageous transphobia, made the main central plot difficult for me to enjoy.
I think there is an important audience for this book and I sincerely hope people read and find comfort in being seen and loved.
Dang - I don't why I am so emotional. This book was amazing. I am a little made that I didn't read this book sooner Felix's complex journey in gender, sexuality, and identity is amazing to follow along with. He is trying to find something rather it be acceptance from his father, love from someone, and happiness with himself.
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
i cried, a lot. when i first started this book, i couldn’t know how much it meant to me. it really did help me figure out A LOT about my gender identity and myself in general. i related to felix’s struggle with his identity and his fears of not being worthy of love (even though my biggest kin will always be ezra, ops).
for the 90% of this book i was INTERNALLY SCREAMING because i couldn’t understand why polyamory wasn’t an option?? i mean i still kind of think that, even though now i really do get why it wasn’t and why felix made that choice. i didn’t expect i wouldn’t pissed at a love triangle trope, but this was handled perfectly imo.
i know i’ll keep coming back to this book because it really did help me in lots of ways and i’ll forever be grateful about this!
for the 90% of this book i was INTERNALLY SCREAMING because i couldn’t understand why polyamory wasn’t an option?? i mean i still kind of think that, even though now i really do get why it wasn’t and why felix made that choice. i didn’t expect i wouldn’t pissed at a love triangle trope, but this was handled perfectly imo.
i know i’ll keep coming back to this book because it really did help me in lots of ways and i’ll forever be grateful about this!
I didn't like the character, Felix, he was very mean to his dad and his friend, self absorbed and just awful to people. Glad there is a book out there about a trans black teen, but I just think the author could have done a better job with the main character.
For a book that explained and defended transgender identities to such a great degree that it nearly felt like an educational introduction to gender for cis people, I was surprised at that lack of criticism for other normative structures — for example, the main conflict of the story was a love triangle, of sorts, and much of the side drama was monogamous relationships forming and breaking up. But, disappointingly, there was never any discussion of polyamory. If it could be considered then the characters discover they prefer monogamy, great! But Felix, Ez, and Declan were all clearly in love with each other — and Declan’s grandpa with his “you can love more than one person” statement?! seemed like the perfect setup for a poly ending. Declan and Ez clearly weren’t over each other. I just feel like that discussion should have happened, even if it was ultimately found to not be the right choice for the boys.
Additionally, and I know I’m just bitching at this point, it IS a romance novel after all, but never once were aromantic identities acknowledged, not even as a throwaway “of course some people don’t want romantic relationships and that’s fine but I do” amidst all Felix’s going on and on about how desperately he wants to be in love. Would have appreciated it.
Regardless. Still got super invested in the story and gasped at all the plot twists and reveals and cringed with second-hand embarrassment so. much.
Additionally, and I know I’m just bitching at this point, it IS a romance novel after all, but never once were aromantic identities acknowledged, not even as a throwaway “of course some people don’t want romantic relationships and that’s fine but I do” amidst all Felix’s going on and on about how desperately he wants to be in love. Would have appreciated it.
Regardless. Still got super invested in the story and gasped at all the plot twists and reveals and cringed with second-hand embarrassment so. much.