A review by justreaditalreadypod
Woodworking by Emily St. James

emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

4.25

I honestly wasn't prepared for how much this book would get under my skin - in the best way possible. Going in, I thought I was signing up for a quiet little story about a teacher and her student bonding over their shared trans identities. What I got was so much deeper, funnier, and more emotional than I expected. By the time I finished it, I knew I had read something special.

 

The book follows Erica Skyberg, a 35-year-old high school teacher living in small-town South Dakota. She's newly divorced (but still just a little in love with her ex-wife), keeps mostly to herself, and quietly carries the knowledge that she's trans - something she hasn't dared say out loud yet. Enter Abigail Hawkes, a seventeen-year-old student who's been the "Only Trans Girl in Mitchell" for years and is totally over it. When Erica and Abigail cross paths and Erica admits to Abigail that she is trans, you might assume you're about to read a reversed mentor-mentee kind of story, but that's not what St. James gives us at all. Their relationship is awkward, layered, and sometimes messy, but most importantly, deeply authentic.

 

What really stood out to me was how the book doesn't shy away from showing both characters as full, flawed people. Erica isn't the wise adult who has it all figured out, and Abigail isn't just the stereotypical jaded teen. They both have sharp edges, insecurities, and so much vulnerability beneath the surface. Watching them slowly build trust, challenge each other, and grow felt extremely real. I found myself rooting for them both, even when they made choices I didn't always agree with.

 

One of my favorite details was the way the book handled misgendering and dead names. St. James makes the bold choice to literally blackout those words on the page whenever someone slips up or uses Erica's or Abigail's old names. It caught me off guard at first, but the more I read, the more I appreciated how impactful it was. Instead of forcing readers to witness those old names, the blanks did the emotional work all on their own. It's subtle but powerful.

 

And I have to say, for a book dealing with heavy topics like isolation, small-town prejudice, and gender identity, the book is surprisingly funny! Abigail's dry humor had me actually laughing out loud more than once, and Erica's awkwardness - especially in the early parts of the book - is endearing without ever making her the butt of the joke. St. James has a gift for balancing warmth and humor with the more serious moments, which kept me deeply invested.

 

The biggest surprise for me, though, was the introduction of another trans woman later in the story - someone I absolutely did not see coming. I won't spoil who it is, but when that reveal happened, it hit me hard. It completely changed the way I saw the story and even made me rethink how I'd been looking at some of the secondary characters. It was one of those quiet twists that doesn't scream for attention but leaves a lasting impact.

 

Honestly, I think this book is essential reading, especially for cis readers. As someone who thought I already had a fairly good understanding of what trans people endure, this book still managed to open my eyes to so much more. It's never preachy, just honest. You really feel like you're sitting with Erica and Abigail, hearing them out, watching them fumble and triumph.

 

If you're looking for a book that will make you laugh, touch your heart, and leave you thinking about it long after you finish, this is absolutely that book. I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a layered story with wonderful characters - it's perfect for book clubs. It's the kind of story that invites conversation and reflection, and I know it's one I'll carry with me for a long time.