This book was absolutely sad and emotional, but so so great.

This book tells a story of someone coming out as nonbinary and not being supported by their parents. I have the privilege that I don't relate to this experience and it was good for me to experience it through a book done so well. The story shows all the raw and brutal parts of it and it made me feel desperate too, it conveyed those emotions really well. At the same time it gave me so much admiration for Ben who just keeps going and makes a life for themselves, it made me incredibly sappy.

It was wonderful to read how they got their sister to fall back upon. It gave me hope to see someone care and just wish the best for another human in a situation full with so much hate. I greatly enjoyed her character, so of her partner as well. They really gave the book bright moments in-between everything dark.

I also loved the therapy sessions that happen in the book. They were real and truthful. Therapy isn't a medicine you go to that fixes everything, but it really can help a lot. This was shown in the book really well and the therapist was a lovely person.

I wasn't planning to tab this book and I really didn't. Until at one point there is this text conversation between Ben and Mariam where they discuss his love life. I was full on sobbing then. The way Ben thought and feels is exactly how I often feel about myself. I saw my own insecurities, even while having a partner now, straight on the paper. It hit pretty deep, in a good way. It really was a beautiful bit of the book and Mariam reacted so so lovely as a friend. So I tabbed that, with a single pink tab and nothing else. That way I'll always come back to that passage first.