lumiiyowo's review against another edition
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
4.25
callievg's review against another edition
4.0
this book was really good but i wanted it to be better. some of the plot is cringe but i guess so is high school. i don’t think i see anything wrong with stealthing if its protecting yourself. they acted like he was doing something bad by not revealing he was trans. like?? kind of a reach. but overall a good read.
krakow54's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
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? No
4.0
moonwisdom's review against another edition
3.0
WOW this book made me feel all the things. It's really important. The only reason I knocked a few stars off is that there are a few plot holes in the first half that I feel like deserved a bit more of an explanation. But the second half, pun completely intended, was gold.
short_circuit's review against another edition
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
hey just a heads up for future readers, pony’s deadname is dropped on page 344 and 345 (this edition is paperback, quill tree books, ISBN ending in 43187) for anybody who wants to avoid those two pages!
it’s hinted at a couple times earlier throughout the book, but those pages are the only instances where the full name is mentioned.
for people wanting to avoid it, skip georgia’s section when she talks to pony’s dad in the car.
it’s hinted at a couple times earlier throughout the book, but those pages are the only instances where the full name is mentioned.
for people wanting to avoid it, skip georgia’s section when she talks to pony’s dad in the car.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia and Physical abuse
Minor: Transphobia
jamie_knights's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
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? Yes
3.5
claudiatralenuvole's review against another edition
2.0
Questo romanzo mi ha quasi mandato in blocco. La storia aveva molto potenziale, ma secondo me non è riuscita a esprimerlo, e soprattutto non ha mandato un buon messaggio sulle relazioni e sul coming out.
Il rapporto tra Pony e Georgia non è salutare, le cose che lei gli dice sono ingiustificabili e non le viene data una redenzione credibile o sufficiente. Il suo personaggio mi è risultato insopportabile e avrei onestamente preferito che Pony uscisse con la ragazza dei tarocchi (la chiama pure ma poi la storyline resta appesa così) che era molto più simpatica e rispettosa.
Anche il cambiamento del padre di Pony è parso irrealistico per quanto è stato affrettato. Mezzo capitolo per passare da transfobico ad alleato? Non è credibile.
Il rapporto tra Pony e Georgia non è salutare, le cose che lei gli dice sono ingiustificabili e non le viene data una redenzione credibile o sufficiente. Il suo personaggio mi è risultato insopportabile e avrei onestamente preferito che Pony uscisse con la ragazza dei tarocchi (la chiama pure ma poi la storyline resta appesa così) che era molto più simpatica e rispettosa.
Anche il cambiamento del padre di Pony è parso irrealistico per quanto è stato affrettato. Mezzo capitolo per passare da transfobico ad alleato? Non è credibile.
summerlebel's review against another edition
3.0
This is a book I am so conflicted over. In a lot of ways, it was really sweet and I loved seeing some actual trans main character representation, especially where it's about more than just discovering your identity. Don't get me wrong, we need plenty more of those too, but it's delightful to see an expansion in the genre.
The problem is that I don't like how a lot of things were handled. First, I don't like how much one of the other characters puts pressure on Pony (the lead) to tell people that he's trans. I understand the points that said character was making, and it's absolutely a reasonable discussion to have, It's really toxic and I don't feel like that's made clear enough in the story. I don't want young trans kids (or anyone at all) thinking that's acceptable. I also don't like the fact that the love interest The ending ends up feeling quite rushed because of this as well.
The problem is that I don't like how a lot of things were handled. First, I don't like how much one of the other characters puts pressure on Pony (the lead) to tell people that he's trans. I understand the points that said character was making, and it's absolutely a reasonable discussion to have,
Spoiler
but it should only be a discussion and never an ultimatum of friendship.Spoiler
is not very understanding and then doesn't properly apologize, and it ends up being really that the blame is on Pony. People should be allowed a chance to grow and also to take time with something like this, but I really would love to see this presented more as her understanding how difficult this was for Pony and less blaming Pony for lying because he didn't feel comfortable revealing something so personal to everyone.livinthebubble's review against another edition
2.5
Sooo... this was not what I was expecting.
When I saw this cover and read the synopsis, I expected a cute romance. Although that's technically not incorrect, this is not very fluffy and cute. I'm not someone who needs trigger warnings but if you do, research them before reading this.
Firstly, I'm just going to mention that I'm not trans so I cannot say whether this was an accurate representation so I'd highly recommend reading own voices reviews. However, I do have some opinions.
Pony was a lovely character, loved his POV and his thoughts. I understood where he was coming from by the end of the book and I almost cried reading (no spoiler) a couple of scenes.
The rest of the characters? Garbáge rat. 90% were queerphobic/transphobic which ok, this is set in Texas, but Max, an out and proud trans man, was the most horrific character. Throughout the book he kept trying to pressure Pony to come out, guilt-tripping Pony basically saying that if you're not out, you are a disappointment to the queer community or just straight-out lying. For closeted queers out there, this is so untrue. Georgia was also not great, she didn't want to date a trans man because that would make her a lesbian and she cares too much about her image...bffr. Oh and neither Max nor Georgia are held accountable by the end of the book, they don't even apologise. Pony's new friends, Jerry and Kenji, although also problematic, did at least apologise for their behaviour promising to be better.
The romance was not to my taste, mostly because it was hard to root for Georgia. I wish Pony had hit it off with the tarot card girl instead. Other than that, the plot was predictable and this book had way too many references for my taste, including Harry Potter, which made absolutely no sense to me.
Overall, an engaging read with a singular great character that was ruined by shit characters, and I think the "be out or else" message could be harmful.
When I saw this cover and read the synopsis, I expected a cute romance. Although that's technically not incorrect, this is not very fluffy and cute. I'm not someone who needs trigger warnings but if you do, research them before reading this.
Firstly, I'm just going to mention that I'm not trans so I cannot say whether this was an accurate representation so I'd highly recommend reading own voices reviews. However, I do have some opinions.
Pony was a lovely character, loved his POV and his thoughts. I understood where he was coming from by the end of the book and I almost cried reading (no spoiler) a couple of scenes.
The rest of the characters? Garbáge rat. 90% were queerphobic/transphobic which ok, this is set in Texas, but Max, an out and proud trans man, was the most horrific character. Throughout the book he kept trying to pressure Pony to come out, guilt-tripping Pony basically saying that if you're not out, you are a disappointment to the queer community or just straight-out lying. For closeted queers out there, this is so untrue. Georgia was also not great, she didn't want to date a trans man because that would make her a lesbian and she cares too much about her image...bffr. Oh and neither Max nor Georgia are held accountable by the end of the book, they don't even apologise. Pony's new friends, Jerry and Kenji, although also problematic, did at least apologise for their behaviour promising to be better.
The romance was not to my taste, mostly because it was hard to root for Georgia. I wish Pony had hit it off with the tarot card girl instead. Other than that, the plot was predictable and this book had way too many references for my taste, including Harry Potter, which made absolutely no sense to me.
Overall, an engaging read with a singular great character that was ruined by shit characters, and I think the "be out or else" message could be harmful.