This review was published on Lost in a Good Book - https://wp.me/p3x8rS-2RK
 

This was an interesting mixed bag in terms of reviewing because I liked so much of it but other parts were unrealistic. I won’t list them here because while they aren’t quite spoilers it’s not entirely relevant either.

There’s content warnings for assault, brief misgendering and minor suicidal ideation but McSmith includes these in key moments from certain characters. Pony is trying to establish himself at the new school with a lot of pressure coming at him from friends and family, and it isn’t until further in the book do you realise how much that goal is holding him together. How hard everything is, how exhausting it is for Pony to be the person he’s presenting to the world. It’s also a wonderful example of how it doesn’t take much to change someone’s entire viewpoint if it comes at the wrong time. Enough blows will make anybody fall.

The further I got into this story the more grateful I was this wasn’t going to be a story of major abusive and transphobia. The positivity Pony described from his previous school, and his own happiness with himself made dealing with an unsupportive father easier, especially with his sister and mother by his side. But of course people are going to be people. The scene comes towards the end of the book, and as much as felt like it was a token scene of abuse, I kind of understand why McSmith included it. You can’t ignore the fact transphobia exists, and you can’t help there’s horrible people around, but at the same time after a book that was 90% light hearted happy vibes of regular teen drama and identity quests, having a sudden shift was a shock. Thankfully it comes towards the end and McSmith definitely uses it as a jumping of point for major character development. It has a purpose which is something I suppose.

I was worried it would become too cinematic perfection by the end, especially with the subplot of Pony helping out the former movie star. That was an interesting side story that felt important but also wasn’t quite as significant as I expected. It helped Pony realise some things, but McSmith doesn’t use it as a saviour either which I was expecting.

All the characters grow in their own way, which is all you can ask of them. Max, Pony, Georgia and even Pony’s family evolve and while there is room for improvement hope is all you can leave a person with. Sometimes stark realities and harsh reminders are needed, even if feels out of place.

People are capable of incredibly things with the right motivation and seeing Georgia’s growth as she comes into herself and realises her own identity is wonderful. Pony’s own realisation about what kind of person he wants to be is ongoing, the shield he’s held up about His Identity through the year is allowing more of himself to come through. McSmith concludes the book knowing everyone is going to be ok, even if it feels a tad cheesy sometimes that can be ok.