Morgan & Eric share the same birthday and have celebrated it together every year (except that one in 3rd grade when Eric had the chicken pox). Told on the same from their 13th-18th birthdays, and alternating the perspectives between Morgan and Eric, it is, as the tagline says, a love story 18 years in the making.

Thebes, Tenessee

Spoiler

Violence, swearing, underage drinking, sexual content, derogatory slurs, bullying, suicide attempt

Spectacular but definitely intense. Beware that there may be a lot of triggers in this book for a variety of reasons.

I'm not rating this, first because I don't really know how I would, second because I don't know how I feel about the author.

It's certainly an important book, and also I probably shouldn't have read it. I need to come to terms with the fact I don't do well with books who deal very heavily with queerphobia and especially transphobia. This had its cute moments, but mostly it was super heavy until the very end, and reading it was draining. I totally understand and respect the choice to have the dual POV and therefore having Eric misgender Morgan for a long time because he doesn't know but uuugh still didn't feel great.

I think it'll be an important book for teens in situations similar to Morgan's. I'm really glad this book exists. It's also most definitely not for me. It's a hard feeling to explain but, I completely understand what this story was doing, and it did it well. It's a great story for trans teens living in a small (American or not) town. But like, the queer activist in me was still angry at small things Morgan let slide and I can't even explain it because I've let worst slide. It's a good book, it's hopefully going to help a ton of trans people feel seen. Definitely not for me. Was left with bad shaky legs after finishing. I'll know to be more careful when picking up books that deal heavily with transphobia, trans pain and things like suicide attempts.

I'll stress once again that this is not a negative review. Had a negative experience, but objectively, it will resonate with a lot of people in a good way. The focus on trans pain is definitely not working for me, though.

I'm so tired of reading trans narratives about people who hate themselves. I'm also tired of trans books about straight trans people who make the idea of being LGB sound like the worst thing in the world. We need better standards for trans novels and to stop accepting stuff like this as good enough.

Extremely heartbreaking (some bits made me physically WINCE while listening to it) but also equally heartwarming. I had so many feelings.

I enjoyed the interview with the author at the end of the audiobook. How the characters were created and what was trying to be said

YES: an important #ownvoices story with clear characterizations, an interesting premise. Touches on gender, grief, sexuality, family, divorce...excellent.

Read this is less than 24 hours. What a story. Wow—Such an emotional read! Adored both Morgan and Eric and their journeys were inspiring. All the stars, highly recommend.

5/5stars

this was perfect. i cried. please read this.