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ameserole's review
5.0
I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The One True Me and You sort of gave me Miss Congeniality vibes. Which, yes, makes me want to dive into that movie ASAP. In it, you will meet Teagan. She is about to do her last beauty pageant and the pressure is on. Mostly because it's all for a college scholarship. She's also trying to hide the fact that she really likes girls. Not sure why but I guess that's a huge no-no in the pageant world. It also doesn't help that she has some stuff competition this around either.
Well, it's safe to say that I really loathed one character. Oh Madison... you were a completely horrible person throughout the entire competition and I'm extremely happy with how things ended. Mostly because I absolutely adored Teagan and Kay. Their connection seemed a bit instantaneous but I enjoyed every little second of it. I also really enjoyed how much everyone, but Madison, grew throughout this competition.
Now I've never been to or seen a beauty pageant but it does seem like a whole lot of work. So I liked seeing how the girls adapted to everything that was happening. I would probably pee my pants during the interview part but that's because of what happened in the movie.. oh and walking.
In conclusion, I just really devoured the heck out of this book. I'm so happy that I got the chance to dive into it and I can't wait for everyone to dive into this once it gets published.
The One True Me and You sort of gave me Miss Congeniality vibes. Which, yes, makes me want to dive into that movie ASAP. In it, you will meet Teagan. She is about to do her last beauty pageant and the pressure is on. Mostly because it's all for a college scholarship. She's also trying to hide the fact that she really likes girls. Not sure why but I guess that's a huge no-no in the pageant world. It also doesn't help that she has some stuff competition this around either.
Well, it's safe to say that I really loathed one character. Oh Madison... you were a completely horrible person throughout the entire competition and I'm extremely happy with how things ended. Mostly because I absolutely adored Teagan and Kay. Their connection seemed a bit instantaneous but I enjoyed every little second of it. I also really enjoyed how much everyone, but Madison, grew throughout this competition.
Now I've never been to or seen a beauty pageant but it does seem like a whole lot of work. So I liked seeing how the girls adapted to everything that was happening. I would probably pee my pants during the interview part but that's because of what happened in the movie.. oh and walking.
In conclusion, I just really devoured the heck out of this book. I'm so happy that I got the chance to dive into it and I can't wait for everyone to dive into this once it gets published.
lauren_soderberg's review
5.0
4.5 stars
The One True Me and You is the kind of book I want to put in everyone’s hands. It’s a beautiful slice of a coming-of-age and a coming out story that’s as impactful as it is important. But, beyond that, it’s just a delightful novel about friendship, first love, and the things in life that inspire us.
Fanfiction writer Kaylee Beaumont is excited to participate in her first GreatCon, and to try out they/them pronouns for the first time. Pageant queen (and current Miss Virginia) Teagan Miller has her sights set on the $25,000 scholarship for winning Miss Cosmic Teen USA. Then she can live her life at college completely out and proud. When Kay and Teagan happen to cross paths because both groups are staying at the same hotel? Sparks instantly fly. When they realize they both share a nemesis? It bonds them even closer. But, as they both navigate how to be themselves in their respective orbits, will they be drawn closer together, or completely split apart?
Author Remi K. England presents readers with a story that hits you right in all of your feels. They are especially adept at creating two strong, but beautifully adolescent protagonists coupled with an amazing group of secondary characters. No one in the book feels like a caricature, even Miss North Carolina, who feels like the kind of bully you’d encounter in high school. The feelings captured throughout feel really genuine and universal in a way that teens today, and those much older, can relate to. This is the kind of book that resonates well beyond its genre, but I’m so glad it exists in that particular niche. More stories like these, pretty please.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Wednesday Books, and NetGalley for generously providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The One True Me and You is the kind of book I want to put in everyone’s hands. It’s a beautiful slice of a coming-of-age and a coming out story that’s as impactful as it is important. But, beyond that, it’s just a delightful novel about friendship, first love, and the things in life that inspire us.
Fanfiction writer Kaylee Beaumont is excited to participate in her first GreatCon, and to try out they/them pronouns for the first time. Pageant queen (and current Miss Virginia) Teagan Miller has her sights set on the $25,000 scholarship for winning Miss Cosmic Teen USA. Then she can live her life at college completely out and proud. When Kay and Teagan happen to cross paths because both groups are staying at the same hotel? Sparks instantly fly. When they realize they both share a nemesis? It bonds them even closer. But, as they both navigate how to be themselves in their respective orbits, will they be drawn closer together, or completely split apart?
Author Remi K. England presents readers with a story that hits you right in all of your feels. They are especially adept at creating two strong, but beautifully adolescent protagonists coupled with an amazing group of secondary characters. No one in the book feels like a caricature, even Miss North Carolina, who feels like the kind of bully you’d encounter in high school. The feelings captured throughout feel really genuine and universal in a way that teens today, and those much older, can relate to. This is the kind of book that resonates well beyond its genre, but I’m so glad it exists in that particular niche. More stories like these, pretty please.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Wednesday Books, and NetGalley for generously providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
smalltownbookmom's review
4.0
I adored this YA queer love story between a lesbian beauty pageant queen Tegan and Kay, a nonbinary cosplay and fanfic writer who meet at a hotel hosting both events. Full of supportive queer friends and well developed characters finding the courage to embrace their true selves. I loved the friendship that develops between Kay and Tegan and how each learns to overcome their initial prejudices. Highly recommended and really great on audio. Much thanks to NetGalley and the Wednesday Books for my advance review copy.
TW: homophobia, bullying, grief (death of a parent off page)
TW: homophobia, bullying, grief (death of a parent off page)
rapidfirereads's review
3.0
Fans of Dumplin will like this for the pageant aspect. Fans of Verona Comics and Queen of Geek will like this for the fandom element.
I’m not so sure queer readers more settled into their identities will like this. Half the book’s POV is from Kaylee, an nonbinary fanfic writer who is convinced they’re the only one from their small town who could like nerdy things. It gets a little frustrating to read Kaylee’s “I’m not like other people” tirade almost every chapter.
I will say I think the author hits the mark with Teegan, the other half of the book’s POV. Teegan is a lesbian pageant girl who also happens to like fanfic and fandom culture. It was refreshing reading about a queer person comfortable in their identity whose central conflict didn’t resolve around coming out.
I did really enjoy the fandom representation that felt more in touch with references to things like AO3 and the WLW rep! All In all, I think this book would be well suited to younger LGBTQ+ teens.
I’m not so sure queer readers more settled into their identities will like this. Half the book’s POV is from Kaylee, an nonbinary fanfic writer who is convinced they’re the only one from their small town who could like nerdy things. It gets a little frustrating to read Kaylee’s “I’m not like other people” tirade almost every chapter.
I will say I think the author hits the mark with Teegan, the other half of the book’s POV. Teegan is a lesbian pageant girl who also happens to like fanfic and fandom culture. It was refreshing reading about a queer person comfortable in their identity whose central conflict didn’t resolve around coming out.
I did really enjoy the fandom representation that felt more in touch with references to things like AO3 and the WLW rep! All In all, I think this book would be well suited to younger LGBTQ+ teens.
rjsreadingnook's review
4.0
I’m happy there are more and more books written about nonbinary people and queer relationships, especially sapphic relationships. This book is kind of an opposites attract romance with the pageant queen and nonbinary fanfic writer falling for each other over a convention weekend.
I loved a lot about this book, especially the way the struggles of being nonbinary, finding your fit, finding your pronouns, etc. are expressed. The romance was a bit instalove but sweet.
I found myself skimming over the con and pageant details especially in the first half of the novel. I’m a fanfic writer myself, and I enjoyed the fandom component but some of it went into too much detail to hold my interest.
This is a good YA read overall. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.
I loved a lot about this book, especially the way the struggles of being nonbinary, finding your fit, finding your pronouns, etc. are expressed. The romance was a bit instalove but sweet.
I found myself skimming over the con and pageant details especially in the first half of the novel. I’m a fanfic writer myself, and I enjoyed the fandom component but some of it went into too much detail to hold my interest.
This is a good YA read overall. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.
justforqueerbooks's review
5.0
This book the nerdy boy/pretty girl trope and FLIPPED IT ON ITS HEAD!!
First of all, Kay was just wonderful: there were so many conversations in this book about them being nonbinary and, as a trans person, I felt so seen, it was great. Throughout the book, Kay struggled with clothes, with talking to people, even with trying to ask people to use the correct pronouns. All of that eventually led up to Kay going home for confident in themselves.
Teagen was also just wonderful. (I literally cannot find another adjective that works better than that.) She was not only a pageant queen, but also the biggest nerd ever. I don’t see those things being synonymous often so it was really wonderful to see everything flipped upside down.
The whole GreatCon was such a fun thing too. I loved how they talked about how this was such a safe place for queer people to be themselves because there were so many queer people/allies there. I just cannot say enough good things about this book. It was thoroughly wonderful and just amazing. I was smiling and laughing for most of the time through. I hope you all can borrow/request it from your library, get an e book or a physical copy because it’s absolutely wonderful!!!!
First of all, Kay was just wonderful: there were so many conversations in this book about them being nonbinary and, as a trans person, I felt so seen, it was great. Throughout the book, Kay struggled with clothes, with talking to people, even with trying to ask people to use the correct pronouns. All of that eventually led up to Kay going home for confident in themselves.
Teagen was also just wonderful. (I literally cannot find another adjective that works better than that.) She was not only a pageant queen, but also the biggest nerd ever. I don’t see those things being synonymous often so it was really wonderful to see everything flipped upside down.
The whole GreatCon was such a fun thing too. I loved how they talked about how this was such a safe place for queer people to be themselves because there were so many queer people/allies there. I just cannot say enough good things about this book. It was thoroughly wonderful and just amazing. I was smiling and laughing for most of the time through. I hope you all can borrow/request it from your library, get an e book or a physical copy because it’s absolutely wonderful!!!!
cj_is_reading4's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
kcmmp13's review
4.0
This book is all about acceptance and being true to you. I really enjoyed both Teagan and Kay. I think the author did a wonderful job of writing queer characters who were flawed and realistic.
They each were hiding who they truly were to those around them, but for different reasons. Kay's journey of discovery was heartwarming and thrilling. I was so happy for them as they figured out things and began to feel comfortable in their own body. Teagan on the other hand was confident, but because of her involvement in pageants, she had to hide her true self from most of those surrounding her. Seeing her embrace herself and incorporate that into her pageant life brought a smile to my face.
The secondary characters who were friends to both Teagan and Kay were wonderful. They added depth and support. I loved the backdrop of the Con as well. As someone who's been to multiple cons, I wish I went to one like this. The acceptance and tight-knit community really made it special. Also as a huge AO3/fanfic reader, seeing this accurately portrayed in a book made me so happy.
Content warnings from the author: http://mkengland.com/writing/#otmy
They each were hiding who they truly were to those around them, but for different reasons. Kay's journey of discovery was heartwarming and thrilling. I was so happy for them as they figured out things and began to feel comfortable in their own body. Teagan on the other hand was confident, but because of her involvement in pageants, she had to hide her true self from most of those surrounding her. Seeing her embrace herself and incorporate that into her pageant life brought a smile to my face.
The secondary characters who were friends to both Teagan and Kay were wonderful. They added depth and support. I loved the backdrop of the Con as well. As someone who's been to multiple cons, I wish I went to one like this. The acceptance and tight-knit community really made it special. Also as a huge AO3/fanfic reader, seeing this accurately portrayed in a book made me so happy.
Content warnings from the author: http://mkengland.com/writing/#otmy
lookingforamandaa's review
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
The One True Me and You follows two queer characters, Teagan who is a lesbian but not out because she also competes in beauty pageants and Kay who is non-binary. These two meet at a hotel that is hosting both a beauty pageant and a fandom convention. Teagan is secretly also very into the fandom of this convention. So she and Kay meet when she sneaks out of her room to see some of the convention. From there, their romance blossoms.
I really liked Teagan. She’s driven and thoughtful. She knows who she is and what she must do to reach her goals. I didn’t love how she was to her friend Jess, who is supposed to be one of her best friends, who she blew off most of the weekend to see Kay. But I really actually enjoyed the behind the scenes of the beauty pageant stuff. I felt like we got enough backstory to know who she was a character even though we weren’t seeing her in her day to day life.
Kay on the other hand, is still figuring themselves out. They are trying on they/them pronouns for the first time. They want to kiss a girl for the first time. And they feel that this fandom convention is the best place for that. Being a part of the fandom feels like a safe place for them and I can absolutely appreciate this. I enjoyed following Kay as they learned so much about themself.
I think there was some really great commentary about things that are wrong with beauty pageants. I think it did a great job with that. But I felt like the book was clearly biased in favor of fandom. I think there were some real chances to talk about the ways that fandom can be harmful (the amount of times I see people sending death threats to strangers because of fandoms is gross). But being a part of this fan base is only really ever described as a happy and safe place, when I think in reality that isn’t always the case.
Overall, I think this was a wonderful story about a girl who competes in pageants to promote charity and win some money for college. And about a person finding themselves in a place where they truly feel safe. I think this book will definitely be well loved.
The One True Me and You follows two queer characters, Teagan who is a lesbian but not out because she also competes in beauty pageants and Kay who is non-binary. These two meet at a hotel that is hosting both a beauty pageant and a fandom convention. Teagan is secretly also very into the fandom of this convention. So she and Kay meet when she sneaks out of her room to see some of the convention. From there, their romance blossoms.
I really liked Teagan. She’s driven and thoughtful. She knows who she is and what she must do to reach her goals. I didn’t love how she was to her friend Jess, who is supposed to be one of her best friends, who she blew off most of the weekend to see Kay. But I really actually enjoyed the behind the scenes of the beauty pageant stuff. I felt like we got enough backstory to know who she was a character even though we weren’t seeing her in her day to day life.
Kay on the other hand, is still figuring themselves out. They are trying on they/them pronouns for the first time. They want to kiss a girl for the first time. And they feel that this fandom convention is the best place for that. Being a part of the fandom feels like a safe place for them and I can absolutely appreciate this. I enjoyed following Kay as they learned so much about themself.
I think there was some really great commentary about things that are wrong with beauty pageants. I think it did a great job with that. But I felt like the book was clearly biased in favor of fandom. I think there were some real chances to talk about the ways that fandom can be harmful (the amount of times I see people sending death threats to strangers because of fandoms is gross). But being a part of this fan base is only really ever described as a happy and safe place, when I think in reality that isn’t always the case.
Overall, I think this was a wonderful story about a girl who competes in pageants to promote charity and win some money for college. And about a person finding themselves in a place where they truly feel safe. I think this book will definitely be well loved.
jennireadz's review
4.0
4 Stars
Sometimes you read a book and not only do you enjoy it, but you know that others are going to read it and it is going to help them find themselves -- this is one of those books. I think every queer person will get something out of this book, whether they’re still figuring out who they are, or have been out for years.
Teagan is a pageant girl. She is in Florida for a pageant that will help her pay for her college. She is hoping this can be her last pageant because she can’t be herself in this pageant world. She is ready to start living her life outside of it, by embracing every part of herself. She walks into the hotel they’re staying at and is immersed into the con of her favorite show. While she wishes she could attend, she knows the undercover judges could see her at any time and it could cost her the title.
Kay is in town for the con of their favorite TV show with their best IRL friend, and meeting up with 2 online friends. They made a list of things they want to accomplish at the con, including asking others to use they/them pronouns for them, something they cannot do living in North Carolina, and kiss a girl. They’re struggling with their identity, thinking they might be non-binary, they might like girls, generally that they might be queer. But in an open and accepting place like this fandom, they feel ready to take those steps, even if just for the weekend.
When Teagan sneaks out and joins an event at the con on Friday night, they end up meeting and dancing together. It’s only the first day of the 3 they’re spending in Orlando, but they already have a connection.
While I’ve never been really big into any fandom, I’ve been fandom-adjacent to many, and this book felt so comforting. The con is a total safe space for everyone, fandom or not. It really brings out the best in people and makes people feel like they can be themselves without any hesitation.
This book really dove into some of the raw parts of queer identity. While Teagan knows who she is, Kay is still trying to figure out who they are, and trying to figure out a label that might work for them. Both characters are very in the closet, but have a few people close to them who know and support them, so there is still love and a sense of community, even without being out.
I absolutely recommend this book and need to grab a copy for myself to re-read in the future.
Sometimes you read a book and not only do you enjoy it, but you know that others are going to read it and it is going to help them find themselves -- this is one of those books. I think every queer person will get something out of this book, whether they’re still figuring out who they are, or have been out for years.
Teagan is a pageant girl. She is in Florida for a pageant that will help her pay for her college. She is hoping this can be her last pageant because she can’t be herself in this pageant world. She is ready to start living her life outside of it, by embracing every part of herself. She walks into the hotel they’re staying at and is immersed into the con of her favorite show. While she wishes she could attend, she knows the undercover judges could see her at any time and it could cost her the title.
Kay is in town for the con of their favorite TV show with their best IRL friend, and meeting up with 2 online friends. They made a list of things they want to accomplish at the con, including asking others to use they/them pronouns for them, something they cannot do living in North Carolina, and kiss a girl. They’re struggling with their identity, thinking they might be non-binary, they might like girls, generally that they might be queer. But in an open and accepting place like this fandom, they feel ready to take those steps, even if just for the weekend.
When Teagan sneaks out and joins an event at the con on Friday night, they end up meeting and dancing together. It’s only the first day of the 3 they’re spending in Orlando, but they already have a connection.
While I’ve never been really big into any fandom, I’ve been fandom-adjacent to many, and this book felt so comforting. The con is a total safe space for everyone, fandom or not. It really brings out the best in people and makes people feel like they can be themselves without any hesitation.
This book really dove into some of the raw parts of queer identity. While Teagan knows who she is, Kay is still trying to figure out who they are, and trying to figure out a label that might work for them. Both characters are very in the closet, but have a few people close to them who know and support them, so there is still love and a sense of community, even without being out.
I absolutely recommend this book and need to grab a copy for myself to re-read in the future.