Member Review

Charlie has finally reached his goal of attending the Valentine Academy for Boys. Too bad that the most important step of keeping his trans identity secret fails on his first day when he finds out he not only didn't get a private room, but his new roommate is the boy who broke his heart before his transition, Jasper Grimes. Adding insult to injury, Jasper doesn't recognize him. Now, Charlie will have to navigate the private school's strict rules and strange student culture, all while dealing with Jasper and maintaining his grades in order to keep his academic excellence scholarship. Easy, right?

It's a sweet and charming romance YA with a slightly neurotic lead who is endearing precisely because he worries and freaks out about everything. He's relatable even when his experience as a trans boy in a private all-boys school might not be the most relatable situation. Freaking out about grades, trying to fit into a new environment, and figuring out your feelings through asking friends with as little experience as you are universal. And Charlie is surrounded by such different personalities that it's actually delightful to read about them getting along and using their strengths to help each other.

My one gripe is that Jasper and another character have such big personalities that they can become a little annoying in large doses, but that's more a matter of my dislike for overly verbose people than the story itself.

Very happy thanks to NetGalley and Roaring Brook Press for the fun read!