Reviews with content warning for Physical abuse - Stay Gold

A really good book about a trans teen who wants to who wants to live a « normal » Life. But then he falls in love and he starts questioning himself and ignore has to tell the girl he loves if he’s trans.

Also his friend wants him to come out. Not hide himself and live his true self.

So Pony has to navigate a new life trying to be a new Him, without loosing himself.

But seriously some things really felt problematic. Like Georgia feeling betrayed because Pony didn’t tell her he’s trans. Like??? It’s dangerous. Max pressuring Pony to come out. But for this I kinda of get both of their pov on the question.

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whatsophsreading's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

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claire32's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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maikendignes's review against another edition

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2.25

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caitlindee's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring sad 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? No

5.0

TW: transphobia, homophobia, lesbophobia, deadnaming, misgendering (purposeful), hate crime/graphic physical assault, suicidal thoughts (graphic), bullying, slurs, self-harm, public outing/forced outing, pressure to come out from a close friend.

Okay, please please PLEASE be mindful of these trigger warnings before going into the book. I didn't look into them before starting (this is my own fault 100%) and I was incredibly caught off guard by what happens in about the last third of the book. This is not changing my rating of the book in any way, just please be mindful and take care of yourselves. I couldn't stop reading this book; it was emotional, funny, relatable, heartbreaking, hopeful, devastating, and inspiring. I thought the pressure Pony was receiving to come out by a close friend was unfair, but it definitely feels realistic to how some people are pressured to come out before they're ready, especially when those people are in a dangerous situation that others don't believe is a dangerous situation (if that makes sense?). I appreciated the author having this character change their tune at the end of the book and the conversation they had with Pony. Should it have taken a severe physical assault for this conversation to happen? No, but unfortunately, that's how things play out a lot of the time. Overall, this was a really great read and I am definitely going to be reading Tobly McSmith's next book!

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bookrmysoulmate's review against another edition

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dark tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

I feel so sorry for Pony. He did not deserve this. He’s a sweet, kind, and brave boy who’s fallen head over heels in love with the cheerleader. He just wants to be a normal boy and let his transition not become his defining feature/fact.

I CANNOT TOLERATE GEORGIA!! I understand the 'girls shouldn't put other girls down shit' but she is the exact kind of girl I can't tolerate! she pretends to be good, thoughtful, caring, and 'not transphobic' but her actions portray the complete opposite!

She likes Pony and wants him in her life but cannot date him because 'she doesn't wanna ruin her IMAGE!'

I thought Jake would be your standard jock but I guess he was one of the very few okay ones.

It's not exactly rainbows and sunshine, rather the opposite of it. It has some very dark scenes, the plot and esp. the characters are very insensitive and can be gravely triggering for many. I won't recommend this to a person who's looking for a book to be seen in, but if you do pick this one up please go through the content warnings once.

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being_stupid's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

Content Warnings

xoodlebooks's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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