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ravenk28's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book was so sweet in ways that as a trans man moved me to tears. The progression of Spencer as a character was beautiful but also Justice’s growth in an extremely religious family was inspiring.
This book tells the story that so many of use experience.
Graphic: Homophobia, Transphobia, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Death, Deadnaming, and Drug abuse
shorelinepages's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Transphobia, Religious bigotry, and Homophobia
Moderate: Bullying, Deadnaming, and Drug abuse
emily_mh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Abortion and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Bullying, Homophobia, and Transphobia
Minor: Death of parent, Excrement, Fire/Fire injury, Racism, Death, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Grief, Medical content, Outing, Ableism, Alcohol, Deadnaming, Drug abuse, Vomit, Addiction, and Pregnancy
Minor: menstruation, chronic pain, loss of a loved one (child)dogoodwithbooks's review against another edition
4.5
If you like sport romances featuring a trans MC or are looking for a book about being able to advocate for yourself, you will enjoy reading The Passing Playbook.
Graphic: Homophobia, Religious bigotry, and Transphobia
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Drug abuse and Child death
emca13's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Homophobia and Transphobia
Moderate: Religious bigotry
Minor: Drug abuse
freewings21's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Homophobia, and Transphobia
Minor: Drug abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Mass/school shootings, Addiction, and Death
literarylocd's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Transphobia, and Homophobia
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Drug abuse
ana_the_frog's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Homophobia, Religious bigotry, and Transphobia
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Drug abuse, Medical content, and Outing
apology's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Minor: Homophobia, Transphobia, Drug abuse, and Violence
elwirax's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
"Whether you come out tomorrow or in five years, or thirty years, I guarantee that the fight will still be going on in some form or another. And I promise that when you join us, we’ll welcome you with open arms.”
This book dealt with many difficult issues namely transphobia, homophobia and religious bigotry but it also chose to focus on moments of queer/ trans joy and acceptance which was such a great message, LGBTQIA+ youth deserve happy stories.
However, this was very clearly a debut, the juvenile writing style often conflicted with some of the more serious themes in this book. Though, I don't think that it was necessarily poorly written as I still enjoyed how easy it was to get into and through the book.
I think that Spencer's crush on Justice was a bit insta-lovey but the romance itself was a slow burn which I was glad for. I though their love was sweet and I appreciated seeing consent especially in a book of the YA category. However, I do think that the victim blaming was an aspect where their relationship wasn't as well represented as it could've been. It was a shame to see Spencer breaking up with Justice over not standing up to his homophobic family. I feel like it could've been handled in a healthier and more sympathetic manner.
The friendship/ family dynamics in this book were good and I was glad that Spencer's teammates not only had his back in football but also outside of it (Macintosh and Coach Schilling were great). I do wish that some of the secondary characters such as Theo where a bit more developed. I though that he was used as more of a tool to make Spencer seem like a better character rather than a person in his own right. Hence, his representation as an autistic individual may not be as authentic as it should have been.
Overall, this was a good book, not particularly memorable in terms of plot but very much so in terms of transgender representation. I'm glad that trans individuals are receiving the representation they deserve.
Graphic: Homophobia, Religious bigotry, and Transphobia
Minor: Bullying, Child death, Deadnaming, and Drug abuse