Publishing Date: May 21, 2019
Publisher: Flatiron
Pages: 288
Young Adult Contemporary
The Premise from the Publisher: "Two best friends. A shared birthday. Six years... ERIC: There was the day we were born. There was the minute Morgan and I decided we were best friends for life. The years where we stuck by each other's side-as Morgan's mom died, as he moved across town, as I joined the football team, as my parents started fighting. But sometimes I worry that Morgan and I won't be best friends forever. That there'll be a day, a minute, a second, where it all falls apart and there's no turning back the clock. MORGAN: I know that every birthday should feel like a new beginning, but I'm trapped in this mixed-up body, in this wrong life, in Nowheresville, Tennessee, on repeat. With a dad who cares about his football team more than me, a mom I miss more than anything, and a best friend who can never know my biggest secret. Maybe one day I'll be ready to become the person I am inside. To become her. To tell the world. To tell Eric. But when? -- Six years of birthdays reveal Eric and Morgan's destiny as they come together, drift apart, fall in love, and discover who they're meant to be-and if they're meant to be together" (Flatiron).
My overall thoughts and review: I remember a lot of people raving about Meredith's previous book If I was Your Girl, which I haven't read yet, but I've recently learned that Russo, as a transgender woman, her objective is to "write books about a transgender character that has a happy ending." This was my first book by her, and I've already put her previous book on hold at the library to read next. I really liked this book. It follows two best friends over the span of 6 years. They've been best friends for even longer than that. They also share the same birthday. Every year they always spend it together and each section of the book shows their birthday of the corresponding year.
Morgan has always felt uncomfortable in her own body. She's been holding this secret for a long time, and with the passing of her mother, it gets harder and harder each day to tell someone. To her, after losing her mother, all she has left is Eric and her father, and she worries that her secret of wanting to be a girl will change that. And that she'll lose them. Russo takes us through the painful journey of what Morgan feels and experiences. There is a lot of bullying that happens, which unfortunately is very true for trans individuals today. In those moments, I'm taken back to a conversation I had with a trans friend of mine and they explained that despite having a supportive friend group, the stigma and stereotypes still exist, and because people cannot comprehend something that is 'different' from their own norm, they often turn to bullying. It's absolutely heartbreaking to read it from Morgan's perspective, but also the fact that it still happens today to many individuals going through what Morgan did. Morgan tries so hard to even push away this need and desire for her true self, only because she thought at the time that it was best to be what everyone thought she should be or how she should to be. When she is able to come to terms with everything and share her secret with Eric and her father, my heart absolutely burst with happiness. It was such a long journey for her and I'm so pleased she was able to have her happy ending and a sense of peace.
I love Morgan and Eric's story so much. Gender wasn't even a factor for Eric, because he simply loved Morgan. He has always loved Morgan. I really loved reading about their friendship, but also seeing their dynamic change when they fell in love with each other. This book is definitely one that punches you in the gut with everything, makes you want to reach out and hug the characters, but most importantly, reminds us that we still need to do a lot more for our LGBTQ community. What Morgan goes through bullying wise happens on a regular basis for many trans individuals, and in some cases, it is possibly a lot worst as well. This book reminds us that someone else's gender shouldn't be a deciding factor on how we treat them, and during difficult times of where someone is struggling with finding their true self, we should be allies and respectful of that choice. This is definitely a story that will stick with me for a long time, and I highly would recommend this as a great YA read that is both beautiful but also educational.
*Warning: there are instances of transphobia, homophobia, bullying and abuse, suicide, and alcoholism.
My rating of the book: ✮✮✮✮ - 4/5 stars
Available for purchase at:
Chapters/Indigo, Kobo Books, Amazon, and Book Depository
Disclaimer: An advanced reader's copy of the book was provided by Raincoast Books for participation in the book tour. All opinions of the book are my own.
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