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emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Homophobia, Transphobia, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Dysphoria
Moderate: Ableism, Biphobia, Bullying, Cursing, Hate crime, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia
Moderate: Deadnaming, Panic attacks/disorders
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
An extremely cute, not-heteronormative book focused on finding one's identity and letting love in. What shines in this book are the characters; completely developed, they grip you and make you root for them even when they screw up. While there is a love triangle, it is relatively well-handled (and not irritating).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Transphobia
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Homophobia, Racism
The main character is transgender. A very explicit and public transphobic incident is towards the main character is the inciting incident for a major plot of the book. The main character's father is not quite transphobic, but isn't exactly supportive, either. While never explicitly mentioned, descriptions of the main character's reaction towards said incidents could be interpreted as a panic attack.
Racist and homophobic incidents never occur, but are discussed by primary and secondary characters in the abstract.
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
Hm, a very tough one to review and a very emotional read. I loved Felix and wanted to shout at him, and the other characters. In ways a very realistic portrait of what it's like to be a teenager (though most teenagers don't have to deal with the terrible act Felix has committed against him at the start of the book, or one of their parents abandoning them). I, very personally and subjectively, disagree with who he ends up with and was more interested in the other love interest (very personal opinion). But I also find it very believable. This book touches on so many topics in gender, identity, hate, growing up and finding out who you want to be, I think it could be a life-changing read for someone out there. I, like Felix, don't enjoy pride parades that much, but I almost cried during that whole scene.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Transphobia
Moderate: Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship
Minor: Child abuse, Deadnaming, Drug use, Hate crime, Racism, Grief
The main character is outed and deadnamed in a terrible public way very early in the book. We are never told the deadname. During the course of the book he is told terrible things about his gender and identity that could be very triggering.