“For as long as I could remember, I had been apologizing for existing, for trying to be who I was, to live the life I was meant to lead.” – 4.5/5 stars!

Attention! This book contains: bus rides, transphobia, diners, football games, teenagers, transitions, new friendships, supporting parents, prom nights, prayer and secrets.

A new kind of big-hearted novel about being seen for who you really are.

Amanda Hardy is the new girl in school. Like anyone else, all she wants is to make friends and fit in. But Amanda is keeping a secret, and she’s determined not to get too close to anyone.

But when she meets sweet, easygoing Grant, Amanda can’t help but start to let him into her life. As they spend more time together, she realizes just how much she is losing by guarding her heart. She finds herself yearning to share with Grant everything about herself, including her past. But Amanda’s terrified that once she tells him the truth, he won’t be able to see past it.

Because the secret that Amanda’s been keeping? It’s that at her old school, she used to be Andrew. Will the truth cost Amanda her new life, and her new love?

Meredith Russo’s If I Was Your Girl is a universal story about feeling different and a love story that everyone will root for.

This book… oh my God! You NEED this in your life! I just know I’m going to push this book to every reader I know – sorry in advance, friends!

This work of fiction is about a girl named Amanda, a transgender girl who went to live with her dad after suffering bullying not only in school but also in the community. And the story follows Amanda and her attempts to find new friends, being a teenager and fitting in, while keeping her secret.

This was my first time reading a story about a transgender character, so it was a very eye-opening experience for me. Amanda’s story was heartbreaking and I was rooting for her the entire time. There were so many aspects that made me reflect. This book definitely touches on some of the struggles of trans people: from not having parents that support the transition, to having people arguing with you for going to the bathroom, to deciding when (and if) to tell the people they’re dating. I can’t imagine what it’s like to keep apologizing and constantly defending who you are to other people.

I also really liked the writing! It was cool to get a deeper look on how Amanda’s life was before and after transitioning with Amanda’s and Andrew’s POVs. I’m also glad the romance was not the focus of the book, because a lot would be lost with the love story.

I wasn’t super satisfied with the ending, because it was a little too ambiguous and open for my own taste. I personally don’t agree with other reviewers on this book being a “too perfect” story. Sure, she found friends and a boy that liked her, but she still went through a lot before she got there.

It’s a very important read that describes perfectly what so many people go through. I really like the message the book sends and how informative it is to readers that don’t go through this experience. Very well executed and a must-read in my humble opinion!