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annaofjesup's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Infertility, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Violence, Abortion, Pregnancy, Outing, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Domestic abuse, Suicide, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Dysphoria
Minor: Child death, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Alcohol, and Classism
friendofdorothea's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
The book saw children as merely property. Additionally, womanhood was seen mostly as caring for children or having a baby which is inherently sexist.
The book was supposed to be funny but nothing about it was funny whatsoever. The summary made it seem like these women were going to be raising a baby together and that’s what I was expecting to see within the first couple chapters not just filler. The ambiguous ending sucked.
10/10 do not recommend and I am surprised by the overwhelming amount of positive reviews. THIS IS NOT GOOD TRANS REPRESENTATION AND DO NOT PICK THIS UP TO LEARN ABOUT TRANS PEOPLE! I really wanted to root for a trans author but im sorry this book was not the one.
All of these characters deeply need therapy tbh (preferably feminist therapy)
Graphic: Child death, Cursing, Deadnaming, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Infertility, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Violence, Blood, Grief, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, and Dysphoria
queerbookworm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
So yeah, good book even though I personally just didn't feel very good while listening to it.
Graphic: Infidelity, Transphobia, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Homophobia, Infertility, Miscarriage, Suicide, Grief, Outing, and Dysphoria
Minor: Child death, Hate crime, Violence, Abortion, and Alcohol
karol99'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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Infertility, Miscarriage, Sexual content, Grief, Pregnancy, Outing, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical trauma, and Alcohol
Minor: Transphobia
mezzarella's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The triad of main characters in this story all offer a different facet to womanhood and identity, and are tied together through past memories and current desires. Reese is a trans woman who desires the comfortable life of upper class motherhood. Reese is a complex character who is fueled by jealousy. She is quick to judge others with little disregard with how her own past actions affect others. Despite this, Reese is a natural caretaker with a knack for caring for infants and children--something that certainly ties into her desire to care for her own child someday. Amos, Reese's ex, has recently de-transitioned and is introduced as the recent divorcee of Katerina. Amos has a complicated relationship with gender. He has hopes that identifying as a man rather than a trans women will be easier, but comes with its own challenges. The most glaring challenge Amos faces in the novel is getting his ex wife pregnant. Fearing commitment and fatherhood, he convinces Katerina to attempt a parenting triad with an individual who is committed to parenthood: Reese. These interactions are at times tense and cautious, as Katerina is a cis Asian American woman pregnant with a man she previously viewed as adhering to the gender binary. Despite this, all three members are willing to work together to figure out if a baby together is truly right for all of them.
The best moments of this novel are moments of honesty that are bluntly shared throughout the story. Reese's theories on trans and cis identities, Amos' moments of debating his gender identity, and Katerina's reminders of how race and sexism also shape the cis experience emphasize how all these characters are different and the result of an intersectional society. It's great to see how each character interacts in uncomfortable situations, with their flaws splayed out for the reader without apology. At times this story can feel slow as it transitions back and forth between the past and present, but overall, it builds to a very well rounded and nuanced modern story.
For fans of Pose and Disclosure, this book will be a treat while offering new concepts to chew on. This book is currently on a couple Best sellers lists, which comes at no surprise for me as a reviewer. On a completely separate note: the cover is gorgeous. Make sure to get a copy from your local bookstore as soon as possible.
Graphic: Infidelity, Miscarriage, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Grief, Abortion, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Death and Mental illness
Minor: Child death and Chronic illness