If I Was Your Girl

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Meredith Russo: If I Was Your Girl (2018, Flatiron Books)

320 pages

English language

Published Sept. 19, 2018 by Flatiron Books.

ISBN:
978-1-5364-0966-6
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4 stars (16 reviews)

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?

7 editions

Review of 'If I Was Your Girl' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

An absolutely vital read, giving a first-person look at the transgender experience that de-mystifies the feelings and the details somewhat for the reader who hasn’t lived it while offering encouragement to those who have. Amanda’s story is a bit rose-colored at times—an intentional choice by Russo and a good fit for the YA style—but still offers much to learn about prejudice, ignorance, and self-discovery.

Review of 'If I Was Your Girl' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Hay cosas de este libro que son super típicas de una novela young-adult y cosas "poco realistas" pero es que me ha gustado mucho. Pienso que es un libro muy importante y me hace feliz ver una representación bastante buena.

Aviso, hay transfobia sobre todo en los flashbacks. Si consideráis que en este momento no estáis preparados para eso, no hace falta que leáis este libro ahora.

Review of 'If I Was Your Girl' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Through the use of flashbacks, If You Were My Girl gets the balance right between a story of acceptance and highlighting the risks of being a young trans woman in America. It is absolutely lovely seeing Amanda make friends in her new school and she gets to experience the normal firsts of an average teenage girl. Including love.

Yet, let's face it, it wouldn't be believable (sadly) if everything was perfect and rosy. The first thing we learn is that Amanda is being sent to live with her dad because she was violently attacked for using a women's restroom. What is it with America's obsession with toilet use anyway? I think toilets should be segregated by whether you can manage not to wee on the floor.

So the story bounces between hopeful future and the trauma of Amanda's past. Her road to transition started when she attempted suicide, not being …

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