This is an important book. Trans author, trans protagonist, trans model on the cover. Even if this book wasn't good, it would still be an important book.

That being said, I did enjoy this. The author glossed over and improved a lot of aspects of Amanda's life (like her access to surgery/hormones, passing, etc), but I got the vibe it was very much intended to be a hopeful "it gets better" story, than a hard hitting description of what it's like to be trans. And I don't think there's anything wrong with that as long as you don't hide your intentions. Hopeful books are so important. Amanda, the protagonist, was a strong fully developed character who drove the story forward and I was fully invested in her more than any other aspect.

There were a few writing elements were weak. A lot of the side characters seemed one dimensional and the romance was a little short on chemistry. It was quite clear that this was a debut novel, but I would be very interested in seeing what Meredith Russo writes in the future.

The afterword made me cry.