Reviews with content warning for Violence - Birthday

A book about growing up and finding yourself. I loved the development of both Morgan and Eric’s characters, and I thought the dual POV was very well done. Their relationship as it evolves from friendship into romance felt really authentic as well. The only issue I had was that the pacing sped up quite a bit during the last two sections, with everything being resolved pretty quickly after such a long time spent on developing all the conflicts in the plot.

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readingdiversely's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful fast-paced

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

4.0

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fanboyriot's review against another edition

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emotional fast-paced

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

The book on it’s own was about a 4.5 ⭐️ rating. The trans rep was so good and the plot line of how both Morgan and Eric changed each year was really cute. The book was heartbreaking at times, the numb feeling of not being able to see your future all too relatable, seeing Morgan at her lows and fight to get to a place where she got her happy ending. I really liked it and read it in one sitting.

Having said that it’s a low rating because of the author alone. I didn’t know it when I picked up the book but after reading reviews and the links to articles I don’t feel comfortable supporting the author. Call it cancel culture all you want but abuse is abuse at the end of the day and I don’t feel comfortable separating the author from her work.

Switching POV
Trans (mtf) MC
Friends to Lovers
Angst with a Happy Ending

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edu_caldelas's review against another edition

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emotional sad slow-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? It's complicated

5.0

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simbarabbit20's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

Every birthday two friends always meet up. They were born in the same hospital on the same day in the same year. The one thing that keeps them together is American football.

I really liked the book. It was so emotional and nearly had me in tears. I’m so glad it had a happy ending because if it didn’t I wouldn’t have coped. The transphobia and the homophobia was a lot but it was probably the right amount for a small town unfortunately. I would definitely not recommend reading it if that would affect you.
I liked how it skipped years. It meant that the story could progress and we could see the progression of Morgan’s mom’s letters/DVDs. We could also see them growing up and it didn’t take forever.

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sydney_bookworm's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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

4.75

I really loved this book. It was interesting to see how the main characters evolved and developed and eventually found themselves. The book gives a window into Morgan and Eric’s minds, there relationship with each other and also with themselves. I like how the story didn’t feel sugar coated it seems real and raw.
Additionally I found it really interesting seeing into Morgan’s mind throughout her struggles to accept and love her true self and her journey of self discovery.

Loved this and recommend it!

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what_lou_reads's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful sad tense fast-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

5.0

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