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Oct 13, 2016samcmar rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
If I Was Your Girl has the potential to be a must read novel that looks at trans-issues written by a trans woman. There's a lot in this novel that gives so much insight into trans issues, and I felt it to be a very eye-opening reading experience, even though I've read plenty of YA novels that focus on being trans. This one, however, I think provides an authenticity that really does make it stand a part. My favourite aspects of this novel were the flashbacks during Amanda's time as Andrew, and her growing into her transition. These were the parts of the novel that I felt to ring the most true in terms of understanding what it means to transition and the desire for people to accept transition as well. This felt so heartbreaking and truthful, and watching Amanda deal with her family at the beginning of the journey just hurt so much. When it moves into current time and we see more of how the parents accept Amanda, it brings a lot to the story, providing the before and after than I think many trans novels sometimes lack. There was one glaring issue with this book though: I didn't entirely buy how accepting everyone was of Amanda. It just didn't feel realistic at all, and if anything part of me struggled with how easy a lot of her friendships felt. Everyone barely knows her and yet they confide all their deepest secrets to her. It just seemed very strange at times and it actually took me out of the story on several occasions. However, I will say that it does do a great job of showing positive friendships, which still seems so unheard of in YA. I will say, however, that everything with Grant felt quite realistic. I wasn't really into the smoopiness of the romance at first, but it did work and grow on me and I understood why the author portrayed the relationship as she did. There's a very nice sense of building in the relationship and the issues that Amanda and Grant face do feel like realistic and challenging. I loved the way in which Grant handles Amanda being trans and how scared he was at first but grows into a mature way of understanding. It's really something special how a lot of their relationship is portrayed and it did win me over in the end. If I Was Your Girl is so smart in its depiction, and brave in its execution. I loved Amanda and reading her journey was such an inspiring and engaging experience. There's definitely nothing out there quite like this book, and if you are interested in trans issues, particularly in YA, then this is a must-read for sure.