This is my second book by Hayes. I wanted to love this book, I really did. When I read the synopsis I was excited. It seemed so outside the box. Do I think this scenario like this could work out… absolutely. I think some lesbians may have an exception.. But I really struggled to buy in to Rachel and Bobby’s relationship. I really liked Bobby and could read a book about him falling in love, but I am unsure if Rachel is the right one. Rachel seems to be a 6 on the Kinsey scale, at least self-proclaimed. A 6 would have a difficult time falling for someone of the opposite sex. Rachel could be very attracted to Bobby and love him at the point in which the book was written. The “happily ever after” in my head is struggling to connect the dots though. When I read books I often get the most enjoyment from books I really connect with characters. I didn’t particularly connect to either of these characters, and just didn’t feel Rachel would be happy long term with Bobby. I really liked the idea, and was thrilled Hayes took it on, for me it just didn’t work. I hope to see similar books written, and I think this one is still worth your time. You may feel different than me, and that is worth the try.

I was unable to review this book because of a conflict in my schedule. Sorry for any inconvenience this has caused the publisher or the author of the work. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to review for you and I look forward to reviewing for you in the future.

Stevie‘s review of Sweet Boy and Wild One by T.L. Hayes
Contemporary Transgender and Lesbian Romance published by Bold Strokes Books 15 Aug 17

Romance stories with a trans* hero or heroine are still relatively rare, more so when those stories challenge other characters’, and at least some readers’, preconceptions about identity and sexuality, This book sets out to do just that, with the story of a lesbian who falls for a transman.

Rachel is a graduate student living in university accommodation and sharing a corridor with a group of her friends, most of whom are also lesbians like her. When she goes out to an open mic night at her favourite lesbian-run coffee shop, Rachel has high hopes of hooking up with an attractive woman, and is intrigued by someone she assumes to be a butch lesbian sitting at a nearby table. The object of Rachel’s interest turns out to be an accomplished singer, and the pair introduce themselves to each other at the end of the set. Bobby, however, is not quite the person Rachel had taken him for.

Bobby has struggled since his transition, mostly because his parents have disowned him, but also because of prejudice and hostility he has faced from both the straight and lesbian communities. When Rachel turns down his offer of a date, he is angry that she’s just like all the rest, especially since she seemed interested in him at first, but then she agrees to give him a chance after all. The two work their way tentatively towards a relationship, encouraged by Bobby’s brother, whom he lives with, but against open hostility from Rachel’s dorm-mates. Fortunately Rachel has some lesbian allies, albeit ones now living further away, in the shape of her best friend – and former classmate – who entered into a relationship with one of their professors, necessitating the couple to move to a new town. She is also supported by her new professor, who encourages Rachel to follow her heart and not listen to those who believe that people and opinions should stay fixed and narrow.

It’s not always easy for Bobby and Rachel, even with such a strong network cheering them on. Bobby, in particular, faces hate-related crime and violence. In the end, though, their relationship is stronger than the words and blows of others, and there is the hope of reconciliation with at least some of those who initially shunned them.

I found this book a little slow going at times, and it wasn’t one that stood out for me as a great encouragement to read the author’s other works. I am very pleased, however, to see the continued widening of what counts as LGBT romance in the world of publishing.

Grade: C

I think it is very important to have Transgender in books/movies etc to show their struggles. This book started off good and explained both main characters well and what their struggles are. The further the story progressed I felt that the Trans problems became more and more stereotypical. I was kind of disappointed by the execution of the story towards the end.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Shannan – ☆☆☆
This is the first book I've read dealing with a transgender character and sexual orientation. I was excited to read it.

Rachel, a lesbian, has sworn off men completely. Rachel finds her herself attracted to Bobby, who she thinks is another woman only to find out that Bobby is transitioning. Rachel is unsure of how to deal with this revelation seeing that she isn't interested in men.

I was intrigued into Bobby's background story, his reasoning for transitioning, and his family's take on him. I felt the society issues on trans people were well explained in the beginning. But at some point, this major issue between these characters was sort of glossed over and they were trying to make it work. There were a few things that were left unanswered. I'm not sure if that was an oversight or left purposely for a follow-up book. If that is the case, it should have been noted that this is going to be part of a series.

I did like the book but. for me personally, I just needed just a bit more.

Very cute love story of a lesbian and a trans guy negotiating their relationship. A little didactic in places, but on the whole very charming and sweet.

Strongly consider a sequel because the real "meat" of the story was left out. What happens to the relationship when Bobby starts his transition. Since Rachael is a lesbian and is not attracted to men how will she feel when Bobby removes his breasts and vagina, grows a beard and smells differently. She loves him now because he is basically still a woman or sweet boy.
I read this story primarily to find out how they would deal with the transition and unfortunately that was totally left out.

This synopsis hinted at a slightly different sort of novel and so I wanted to give it a try.

It's the story of Rachel and Bobby. Rachel is a grad student in theater and Bobby is an aspiring singer and food delivery person.

They meet when Bobby sings at an open mic night at one of Rachel's favorite hangouts. It doesn't start out super well. Rachel thinks that Bobby is a butch lesbian, but in fact he's a transgender man.

That throws Rachel for a loop, a big honkin' loop. A lot of the beginning of the book concerned that, while the second half was a little bit more about outside forces.

In the book was also Rory from "A Class Act".

In general I liked this book more than "A Class Act". The characters of Rachel and Bobby as well as the secondary characters like Chris, Bobby's brother, and Dr. Silver, Rachel's professor were all really cool.

It was a little choppy in places. In some places there seemed like too much telling and not enough showing, while in other parts the showing was perfect.

It was a fun book with some very intense parts. A good read.

I got this galley through Netgalley on behalf of Bold Strokes Books

Just not my book, I don't know, interesting plot but many things are left unexplained und definitely the overuse certain words which really annoyed me and kept me from getting into the story.

genre: contemporary romance
length: 64,000 words, 21 chapters
main characters:
Rachel Cole, graduate student, lesbian
Bobby Layton, pizza deliverer, transgender man
setting: a town in Illinois, USA
- a surprisingly unconvincing love story between transgender man and lesbian
- it felt like everything was just thrown in the story all at once and in the end nothing was completed enough
- the overuse of words like boy and sweet boy was pretty unnecessary and irritating
- the writing style by this author wasn't for me and I found it hard to read
cover: appealing, not well related to the plot
book rating: 2 stars
eARC by Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley

I have not been entirely satisfied with this book. At the beginning it seemed to deal with the sensitive matter of transexuality in a serious manner, with enough detail about Bobby's transition, his background and fight against intolerance, even those of his parents. But the way that Rachel overcomes her doubts about dating a boy/man has been a little fast and poorly justified, given her strong upfront resistence. Then the story lets the trans theme fade a little, with all the dramatic events going through. And it wraps up letting many things unexplained maybe with the intention of developing them in a next book, but I would have liked them explained in this one. It has annoyed me the excesive use of the words boy or sweet boy, this is maybe a personal issue. But I would not like my review been completely negative, the book has an interesting plot and all that, just it hasn't been enough for me.

Sweet Boy and Wild One is a love story. But this relationship is between a lesbian and a woman transitioning to a man. Initially, Rachel questions her attraction to Bobby. After all, he identifies as male and she doesn’t date men. However, after conferring with her best fried Rory, Rachel decides to give in to her attractiveness toward Bobby. She simple explains it by saying, “I prefer to date a person, not an orientation.” However, true to life, there are people who will look to hurt and degrade a different lifestyle.
The dialogue is very witty and humorous at times. This helps when the situation turns into serious discussions regarding gender identity, the perception of normality, and being ostracized by family members. The author did a great job of creating believable “sweet and wild” characters who just want what everyone else craves-to be accepted and loved for who they are. .

A work that attempted to capture the unexpected fluidity that can accompany partner choice for those with assumed staunch preferences and the complexity associated with the evolution of a relationship as one person is transitioning. However, the plot ultimately lacked the depth that was expected. While I liked Bobby's character quite a bit and felt that the author captured his life shift well, I could not reconcile his participation in a relationship with a woman who so frequently treated him with a sense of patronizing tolerance. Bobby was a transman (so what?) and Rachel was a lesbian, who lacked full understanding/tolerance of the complex identities that fall into the LGBTQI spectrum-an issue that arose several times and left me disappointed. I wanted more for the relationship that was not delivered. However, for a lay audience, with limited knowledge of the transitioning process, the author does highlight important themes and is able to genuinely depict the angst that can arise for all involved parties.

Great story that upends the theory of attraction/sexual orientation. A self-confessed lesbian who doesn't date men, dating a woman transitioning from Female to Male or to a 'sweet boy' as Bobby is affectionately referred to by the heroine, And Bobby, a transitioning woman who has sworn off lesbians, coming together. Ugh, no pun intended.

While this is a well-told story, at times the overuse of terms such as 'my sweet boy, my boy, hey brother, hey son' felt forced rather than a natural part of the character's dialogue.

My quibble aside, I enjoyed this story and urge other readers to give it ago and draw their own conclusion.

Copy provided by the publisher, Bold Strokes Books, via NetGalley.

Well this book melted my heart by the end of chapter two... there is something beautifully romantic about this novel.

The story is basically about a lesbian, Rachel, who flirts with someone whom she thinks is a butch lesbian, Bobby - who turns out to be a Trans Male (female to Male transition). The story is about her understanding her feelings of ultimately being a lesbian falling for a male. The story uncovers the issues they will discover in their budding relationship as well as the views of their friends and the public around Bobby's transition.

I love novels that's make you think and consider issues out side of your normal personal stratosphere. Trans issues are of deep concern all over the world so I commend T.L. Hayes for tackling an issue and making it into a beautiful and positive romance that I will remember for a long time.

I hadn't realised that there was a prequel to the story with Rory and Maggie (Rachel's best friends) so I'd recommend reading that first. I wish I had because I'm sure it would have created better nuance with the characters.

I highly recommend this to all of The LGBTQI community and hope that not only reading the book gives you the heart flutter but that you also learn a bit more about how important Trans issues are. I'll be watching what comes next from T.L. Hughes and hope she continues the story into a sequel because this lesbian may have a little boy crush on Bobby, he melts hearts!

4.5 stars