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A review by jenny_librarian
Both Sides Now by Peyton Thomas
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
It's both a hard-hitting and uplifting book. It hits where few other books about trans characters do, like how slow getting through a second puberty is or how painful waiting for surgery can be on a daily basis. There are many small instances of dysphoria that will make cis people understand just how debilitating it can be. A big part of Finch's anxiety seems to stem from his worry about being misgendered and not passing, and it takes multiple interventions from multiple people to get it through his head that he's worth it.
I love how supportive his friends are throughout the book and how nobody questions his identity or misgenders him (not even his parents). It's the classic thing we see in trans stories and it's nice to read a book where that is not an issue.
I was hoping for an aro (or at least ace) character, but that's not where it went. Contrarily to Felix Ever After, though, I don't feel like this book diminished any of the other relationships. It's not that Finch doesn't feel worth it until he's with someone romantically, it's just that his body doesn't feel safe enough to let himself be attracted to someone else that way. And I think it's an important distinction that - while just as ground-breaking - Kacen Callender didn't manage to show in their book.
The depiction of poverty (to that extent) isn't pictured all that much in YA, and I appreciated the contrast between Finch's family life and his friends. His sibling relationship with Ruby was very well depicted too. I like that his parents didn't get a redemption arc. It made things more realistic and showed how the other people in his life came through in ways they couldn't.
I'm still waiting for that triple A threat story (Agender/Aromantic/Asexual), or any kind of trans or gender non-conforming aroace book, but this was a pretty good read to wait with.
It's both a hard-hitting and uplifting book. It hits where few other books about trans characters do, like how slow getting through a second puberty is or how painful waiting for surgery can be on a daily basis. There are many small instances of dysphoria that will make cis people understand just how debilitating it can be. A big part of Finch's anxiety seems to stem from his worry about being misgendered and not passing, and it takes multiple interventions from multiple people to get it through his head that he's worth it.
I love how supportive his friends are throughout the book and how nobody questions his identity or misgenders him (not even his parents). It's the classic thing we see in trans stories and it's nice to read a book where that is not an issue.
I was hoping for an aro (or at least ace) character, but that's not where it went. Contrarily to Felix Ever After, though, I don't feel like this book diminished any of the other relationships. It's not that Finch doesn't feel worth it until he's with someone romantically, it's just that his body doesn't feel safe enough to let himself be attracted to someone else that way. And I think it's an important distinction that - while just as ground-breaking - Kacen Callender didn't manage to show in their book.
The depiction of poverty (to that extent) isn't pictured all that much in YA, and I appreciated the contrast between Finch's family life and his friends. His sibling relationship with Ruby was very well depicted too. I like that his parents didn't get a redemption arc. It made things more realistic and showed how the other people in his life came through in ways they couldn't.
I'm still waiting for that triple A threat story (Agender/Aromantic/Asexual), or any kind of trans or gender non-conforming aroace book, but this was a pretty good read to wait with.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Dysphoria
Minor: Homophobia, Transphobia, Vomit, and Acephobia/Arophobia