All Boy by Mia Kerick

Amazon Link

Goodreads Link

Blurb

Seventeen-year-old Callie Canter knows all about screwing up—and being screwed over. After her so-called boyfriend publicly humiliated her senior year, taking a fifth year of high school at Beaufort Hills Academy is her second chance to leave behind a painful past. But her need for social acceptance follows, and going along with the in-crowd is the difference between survival and becoming a target. Staying off the radar is top priority. So, falling for an outsider is the last thing on Callie’s “to-do” list. Too bad her heart didn’t get the memo.
With his strict, religious upbringing and former identity far away in Florida, Jayden Morrissey can finally be true to himself at Beaufort Hills Academy. But life as a trans man means keeping secrets, and keeping secrets means not getting too close to anyone. If he can just get through his fifth year unnoticed, maybe a future living as the person he was born to be is possible. Yet love is love, and when you fall hard enough, intentions crumble, plans detour, and secrets are revealed.
From multi-award-winning author Mia Kerick, comes a powerful, timely, and life-changing novel, which follows two teenagers nursing broken hearts and seeking acceptance, and who together realize running away isn’t always the answer.

Review 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

All Boy is a stellar read by Mia Kerick. There's something special about the way Mia Kerick writes transgender teen stories. She excels at writing an honest and realistic character, while placing them into real situations.

All Boy is a novel about fear, fear, and more fear. It's about the fear of living one's truth, the fear of facing those consequences, and the fear of the unknown. 

Two teens who struggle with how the world sees them. This is a story of humiliation, shame, and self-loathing. 

As 5th year high school students, both Jaiden and Callie have a chance to re-do their senior year. Callie's been abused, and prefers to keep to herself, while avoiding boys. But when she sees Jaiden, she's struck by his beauty, and is instantly intrigued. What she doesn't know is that Jaiden's keeping a secret, as this is the first year he's living as a man. He escaped from his home, trying to live his true self., but the secrets result in pain and guilt.

Jaiden's family are the typical southern Bapists, who'd never be able to accept a transgender child. Thus, Jaiden's even hiding from them.

The dichotomy of the two Jaidens is heart-breaking. He spends most of his time living as Jaiden, but at home needs to live as Jada. It's so damn sad and tough to read at times.

Both teens struggle with body issues; Callie with her weight, and Jaiden with his gender. It's fantastic the way they both have their own fears and secrets. In the end, both Callie and Jaiden learn a lot, about themselves as well as each other. 

Their relationship involves misunderstanding, confusion, pain, and hurt. There are plenty of awkward moments, that are written in an excellent manner.

All Boy is a stunning story is two young adults navigating their way through their new normal. Mia Kerick stuns with a tale of discovering what love means, as well as learning what pain and regret are. And at it's heart, Mia writes an accomplished romance that illustrates the loneliness of being transgender.