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Monday, September 21, 2020

If I was Your Girl - By Meredith Russo

By Meredith Russo


I just finished this book by Meredith Russo.  It is mainstream literature available on both Amazon and Audible.  It is written by a transgender woman and is a wonderful read that covers the complete spectrum of a teen growing up transgender. The emotional roller coaster is covered by flashbacks and the parents' WTF handling of the situation is realistic.  

Here is the synopsis from the Audible site:

Amanda Hardy is the new girl in school. Like anyone else, all she wants is to make friends and fit in. But Amanda is keeping a secret, and she's determined not to get too close to anyone.

But when she meets sweet, easygoing Grant, Amanda can't help but start to let him into her life. As they spend more time together, she realizes just how much she is losing by guarding her heart. She finds herself yearning to share with Grant everything about herself, including her past. But Amanda's terrified that once she tells him the truth, he won't be able to see past it. Because the secret that Amanda's been keeping? It's that at her old school, she used to be Andrew. Will the truth cost Amanda her new life and her new love?

Author - Meredith Russo
 In the epilogue, Meredith explains that this story is not autobiographical nor does it represent the totality of growing up transgender. However, in my estimation, it covers almost all of the bases - bullying, self-doubt, attempted suicide, support groups, hormones,  acceptance, friends, being outed, and falling in love.

This book works by describing the reality that all transgender persons face and will also help the cisgendered understand as well. This book is not a Pollyanna walk-in-the-park for Amanda although the book describes Amanda, as winning the genetic lottery of beauty and passing.  Just when you are brought to tears by the joy of Amanda's experiences, reality happens. Next, a very difficult event that is hard to read and has you screaming, "No! No!"


If you only read one book in "our" genre this fall, let it be this one.   


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