fae_sarelfi's review against another edition
3.0
I could not put this down. It's an easy read, and it's simple and straightforward. It's beautiful and the relationships are endearing. It is oversimplified, as the author herself explains in a note at the end. But the emotional setup is there.
I do wish that her father had some more nuance to him. It's such a... patriarchal stereotype of a father, even with the softness and the change of heart at the end.
The ending made me sad. I wanted more. And I certainly wanted some people to get their just desserts. But I think it has to end that way. It's an ending the MC earned. And it serves Russo's point.
I do wish that her father had some more nuance to him. It's such a... patriarchal stereotype of a father, even with the softness and the change of heart at the end.
The ending made me sad. I wanted more. And I certainly wanted some people to get their just desserts. But I think it has to end that way. It's an ending the MC earned. And it serves Russo's point.
alyssa2012's review against another edition
4.0
It was amazing to see a book written by a transgender author detailing the trials and tribulations a transgendered person must go through. There are not a lot of books about this. We can see the real mental, emotional, and physical toll they must go through. I have always been interested in the transitioning process and what all it entails. The author was sure to explain anything that a cisgender person may not understand about the transitioning process along with having an author's note that although many of the main character's experiences are common among transitioning and transgender people, they are not they same for everyone. Also the author was sure to state that some aspects of the book had to be exaggerated due to the main character not being old enough to begin the transitioning process with hormone therapy due to her age but she decided to add this to the book to show the full experience of a transitioning person.
daftplum's review against another edition
5.0
Stories from and about Trans people are so important. Stories with canon queer characters of all types are so important. This book is so important.
delicatewatkins's review against another edition
5.0
Brilliantly written! Amanda feels like a real person, one that you will empathize with on her entire journey. The pacing is great and there is never a dull moment in this book.
maya1011's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
billyfasig's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.0
serenity667's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Suicide, Body shaming, and Homophobia
earthlings's review against another edition
4.0
If I was your girl was an important book. A beautiful book. An emotional book. A story that deals with the aftermath of a gender confirmation surgery, how a trans teen copes with family, relationships, her identity and life in general. If I was your girl is an eye opening and poignant tale, a must read which gives a chance for fellow trans readers to relate, and cis gender readers to be educated on this particular subject matter.
I loved the batch of secondary characters. Grant, the love interest, is sweet, nice, caring and understanding. The romance between them is so cute and provided the lightness the book needed. Amanda's new friends in school, who has their own complications, but were a pillar of support. And most of all, Amanda's parents, two realistically and beautifully fleshed out characters, whose ways of dealing with Amanda's transition was so different and so real. Amanda's mum is a sweetheart, whose love for her child is more worthy than any kind of social stigma. Amanda's relationship with her dad is one bittersweet, complex and deep journey, which brought tears to my eyes by the end.
But the beauty of the book is that it was not just about how it is to be trans teen.
It was a story about one's identity crisis, first romance, prejudices and beliefs, bullying and the bravery to stand by and do what your heart wills you to do. It was about complicated relationships - with parents, friends and oneself. All these were portrayed beautifully and provided a raw and honest tale.
That being said, I loved the LGBT aspects of it. Amanda's journey and struggles were so realistic, considering the author herself is trans woman. I also loved the treatment of the concept of faith and LGBT, which was beautifully portrayed with the right sense of ambiguity in it.
It is also important to note that If I was your girl doesn't talk about certain things. Simply put, the book is one I would call realistic, but not brutally honest. Amanda looks entirely feminine and it creates no doubt in anyone who sees her that she could've been anything other than a girl. She hasn't had any complications during her surgery. Her parents could afford it all in the first place.
I loved the batch of secondary characters. Grant, the love interest, is sweet, nice, caring and understanding. The romance between them is so cute and provided the lightness the book needed. Amanda's new friends in school, who has their own complications, but were a pillar of support. And most of all, Amanda's parents, two realistically and beautifully fleshed out characters, whose ways of dealing with Amanda's transition was so different and so real. Amanda's mum is a sweetheart, whose love for her child is more worthy than any kind of social stigma. Amanda's relationship with her dad is one bittersweet, complex and deep journey, which brought tears to my eyes by the end.
But the beauty of the book is that it was not just about how it is to be trans teen.
It was a story about one's identity crisis, first romance, prejudices and beliefs, bullying and the bravery to stand by and do what your heart wills you to do. It was about complicated relationships - with parents, friends and oneself. All these were portrayed beautifully and provided a raw and honest tale.
That being said, I loved the LGBT aspects of it. Amanda's journey and struggles were so realistic, considering the author herself is trans woman. I also loved the treatment of the concept of faith and LGBT, which was beautifully portrayed with the right sense of ambiguity in it.
It is also important to note that If I was your girl doesn't talk about certain things. Simply put, the book is one I would call realistic, but not brutally honest. Amanda looks entirely feminine and it creates no doubt in anyone who sees her that she could've been anything other than a girl. She hasn't had any complications during her surgery. Her parents could afford it all in the first place.