This story centers a romance and a classroom competition, but it is so much more than that. It also celebrates familial love, even amid the difficulties of coming out. The main character, Nishat does not always make the right decisions — nor do many of the other characters — but they are all constantly learning and being better throughout the story. This was such a sweet story, though it did not shy away from the realities of racism and homophobia. A wonderful balance of lightness and real-life. 

This book was not quite what I expected it to be, but that was not necessarily a bad thing. There was a really heavy focus on bodies and sex. It was really interesting to get to hear different perspectives on that. That is a really important way to discuss power, particularly for trans people. I think the discussion of naming in particularly -- as it pertains to identity and bodies -- was really wonderful and necessary. However, I am not sure this was framed in the most effective way. I like the idea of including personal narrative and learning about the interviewer between interviews, however it was quite repetitive, especially in the first half. I'll be honest, I think my own discomfort and dissociation probably made me dislike this more than I would were I in a better headspace in relation to myself. Regardless, I do think that some important conversations were had in this book. I found the last few chapters particularly engaging. The last chapter really brought together the discussions in the book with recent events and discussion of empowerment. I wish that more of the book would have tapped into that broader discussion in a similar way. 

I went into this book expecting good trans representation, but being unsure of parts of the plot because it does get into tropes that I do not typically like. The beginning of the book was okay, but parts of the plot weren't really my thing. But as I got further into the book, I really fell in love with it. Thematically and emotionally, it went in directions that I was no expecting and I absolutely ugly cried. This is another YA book that I desperately needed as a teen and I am so glad that it exists now.