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Prairie Town #1
180 Days
Lydia McIntosh left her old life behind when she said good-bye to Prairie Town, North Carolina, and started over halfway across the country with her beloved Gran, away from her family, away from everyone who knew the person she once was and from the identity she never quite wanted in the first place. When her grandmother passes away, she returns home, and while she intends to stay only for the funeral, her grandmother has other plans - from the grave. Her will states that Lydia must remain in Prairie Town for six months in order to give her family and her old town a chance to get to know the new her, the real her.
Lydia has had years to adjust to long hair, summer dresses, and nail polish, but she understands her family will need time to get reacquainted with a daughter they've never known and a sister they've missed terribly. Anticipating the worst, as she always has, Lydia's feelings about her old town begin to change when she meets her brother's best friend, Callum. Callum is kind and more accepting than she could have ever imagined, and she's falling for him.
When her 180 days are over, will she be able to say good-bye to the family she's missed so much? Will she survive her mother's endless intolerance? Can she really leave the man who acknowledges her past and still wants her?
A note from the author: This is a story about a transgender girl and her journey to acceptance and love when she returns to her hometown. Within this book you will be introduced to characters who color outside the lines, and that's just how they like it. I implore you to give them a chance because we are all beautiful and unique in our own ways, and we all deserve love and happiness.
Lydia has had years to adjust to long hair, summer dresses, and nail polish, but she understands her family will need time to get reacquainted with a daughter they've never known and a sister they've missed terribly. Anticipating the worst, as she always has, Lydia's feelings about her old town begin to change when she meets her brother's best friend, Callum. Callum is kind and more accepting than she could have ever imagined, and she's falling for him.
When her 180 days are over, will she be able to say good-bye to the family she's missed so much? Will she survive her mother's endless intolerance? Can she really leave the man who acknowledges her past and still wants her?
A note from the author: This is a story about a transgender girl and her journey to acceptance and love when she returns to her hometown. Within this book you will be introduced to characters who color outside the lines, and that's just how they like it. I implore you to give them a chance because we are all beautiful and unique in our own ways, and we all deserve love and happiness.
- GenresRomanceLGBTTransgender
Audible Audio
First published September 29, 2015
5 people are currently reading
121 people want to read
About the author
T.E. Ridener
37 books126 followersT.E. Ridener resides in Southeastern Kentucky with her husband and their furbabies, Cujo (dog) and Christine (cat). She's still writing up a storm, and hopes to complete some of her most beloved series before 2022 comes to an end. Stay tuned!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
January 25, 2018
http://www.platypire.com/j-hooligan/1...
I have been looking forward to the release of this book since I discovered it was going to be published, a couple months ago. I've been stalking the author's page, waiting to hear for the release. The moment I saw it was out, I one-clicked it. I needed to read it!
I've read other stories by the author before, so I knew she was good at telling a captivating story. But I didn't expect was how much I would become caught up in this one. I had to fight myself to put it down when I had to function in the real world. Apparently feeding children is more important than continuing reading, even if it is all the dramas.
The way the author handled this story, I was impressed. I didn't feel she was trying too hard or that she was trying to tell a story that she had no experience about. There's many times where I've read a LGBT story that had a good concept, but was nothing more than a bunch of stereotypes thrown together in 200 pages. This was not like this. She did what all those that failed couldn't do, she made them into people.
Throughout the story I feel in love with her characters, and I hope she decides to make this a series of one-shots. Although there's a lot of laughter and romance, there's also heartbreak and tears. There's still many people who have failed to acknowledge the T part of LGBT, and I am so pleased that this author took it upon herself to write a story and show that transgenders are people. They deserve the same love and respect as the rest of us.
I absolutely adored this story. It was worth the wait, and it more than met my expectations.
I have been looking forward to the release of this book since I discovered it was going to be published, a couple months ago. I've been stalking the author's page, waiting to hear for the release. The moment I saw it was out, I one-clicked it. I needed to read it!
I've read other stories by the author before, so I knew she was good at telling a captivating story. But I didn't expect was how much I would become caught up in this one. I had to fight myself to put it down when I had to function in the real world. Apparently feeding children is more important than continuing reading, even if it is all the dramas.
The way the author handled this story, I was impressed. I didn't feel she was trying too hard or that she was trying to tell a story that she had no experience about. There's many times where I've read a LGBT story that had a good concept, but was nothing more than a bunch of stereotypes thrown together in 200 pages. This was not like this. She did what all those that failed couldn't do, she made them into people.
Throughout the story I feel in love with her characters, and I hope she decides to make this a series of one-shots. Although there's a lot of laughter and romance, there's also heartbreak and tears. There's still many people who have failed to acknowledge the T part of LGBT, and I am so pleased that this author took it upon herself to write a story and show that transgenders are people. They deserve the same love and respect as the rest of us.
I absolutely adored this story. It was worth the wait, and it more than met my expectations.
December 31, 2015
https://celebrityreaders.wordpress.co...
It’s the first book I ever read that had a transgender person in it. This story is about a woman who was born in a man’s body and decided to fix it. The obstacles of trying to gain acceptance from others, especially family, and one of the most important people in a girl’s life, her mom. Her mother has a specific anonymity toward her. Mom barely acknowledges her and when she does only uses her birth name. She feels abandoned by her mom and also feels like she is the one who abandoned her siblings when she left to pursue her happiness. She carries a lot of guilt around because of that. She also wants her mother’s approval and her love even to the point of allowing herself to be treated with hostility from her mother. This is the reason I think that Lydia is scared to hope.
It’s an internal struggle she fights with constantly and a person has to be very strong indeed to fight that and still have the strong, caring disposition that Lydia has. I liked Callum, but I didn’t love him. He was too perfect, too good to be true, the man didn’t make a single mistake and that rubbed me the wrong way for some reason.
Not my first T.E. Ridener book and it won’t be my last. I would recommend this book to ages 18+ due to violence and sexual situations.
It’s the first book I ever read that had a transgender person in it. This story is about a woman who was born in a man’s body and decided to fix it. The obstacles of trying to gain acceptance from others, especially family, and one of the most important people in a girl’s life, her mom. Her mother has a specific anonymity toward her. Mom barely acknowledges her and when she does only uses her birth name. She feels abandoned by her mom and also feels like she is the one who abandoned her siblings when she left to pursue her happiness. She carries a lot of guilt around because of that. She also wants her mother’s approval and her love even to the point of allowing herself to be treated with hostility from her mother. This is the reason I think that Lydia is scared to hope.
It’s an internal struggle she fights with constantly and a person has to be very strong indeed to fight that and still have the strong, caring disposition that Lydia has. I liked Callum, but I didn’t love him. He was too perfect, too good to be true, the man didn’t make a single mistake and that rubbed me the wrong way for some reason.
Not my first T.E. Ridener book and it won’t be my last. I would recommend this book to ages 18+ due to violence and sexual situations.
January 14, 2016
Once again, I have learned my lesson about not downloading "samples" before buying a book. I figured for $1.99 it couldn't be too disappointing, and with numerous positive reviews.
First of all, Ridener should get rid of her beta, because he/she is not doing his/her job correctly. A few typos are acceptable. Constant instances of improperly used dialogue tags are not. Speech tags are used thusly:
"Hey!" he said.
"Nice to see you," she replied.
No capital letters in speech tags. No periods within quotation marks. Any beta worth her/his salt would know this. (Authors should know this, but it's a beta's JOB to know this elementary grammar rule)
Second of all, I will admit I didn't get very far into this story before quitting. The characters were flat and bland. The "insta love" between two people who have just met was not interesting. (How does this work anyway? How can you feel so strongly toward someone you haven't even spoken to?) The whole reason for Lydia staying in her hometown was cliché and not believable. What sucks is that it wasn't even necessary to get the same effect. If Lydia was living with her grandmother, it's totally understandable that her financial situation might become dire after her grandmother's death, thus forcing her to move back home. Why even bother with a weirdo will and manufactured drama around it?
The transgender part wasn't handled particularly well. I've been trying to find a good story about transwomen, but so often these books fall into heteronormativity that I read m/m in order to escape. For example, this following conversation happens:
"I miss you more than you'll ever know, Jeb. But you seem to forget the living hell I went through while I lived here."
"That's changed." He insisted (sic). "Lydia, back then you were a boy wearing girl clothes. You played with Barbie dolls instead of the Hot Wheels our parents bought you on your birthday. You tried to give Valentine's cards to other boys..."
Oh, okay then. So Prairie Town sucked when people thought she was a gay boy, but now that she's read as female and heteronormative, Prairie Town is A-OK! What a great place! It just hates gays and non-gender conforming boys. I'm sure it'll be just great for transwomen! Unless of course he's referring to the personal hell Lydia felt inside. Even if this is the case, he's basically telling her to get over that trauma so he can live close to his sister.
The problem is that Lydia's concerns are 100% valid and her siblings are selfish assholes for putting their own desires to have Lydia nearby over Lydia's safety. If Lydia feels safer in Vermont, then maybe her siblings should move to HER, considering they won't have to fear for their lives by doing so. Ugh, hearing Jeb and Laney whine about how terrible it was that Lydia didn't plan on staying had my teeth on edge. They will NEVER understand transphobia in the way she does. Their lives will never be in danger. They will never have slurs lobbed at them, nor will they have to worry about being murdered by male partners who find out "the truth". Jeb says he'd die for his sister, but apparently moving is too much work for him. It's not like rural Vermont's much different than rural North Carolina. She didn't move to NYC, for Christ's sake.
As someone from a small town, moving in and getting a job is not an easy task. What does Lydia even DO for a living? It was never mentioned in the part of the book I read, only that she "found employment". Work is such a huge part of a person's life and especially important for transgender women who could face possible discrimination. It seems like a really weird thing to gloss over and pay no attention to. Her grandmother didn't seem to care about how difficult it might be to just up and leave a job in Vermont and start over in North Carolina. I guess it's easier if you work at Wal-Mart. But an actual career with an actual boss? Nah.
First of all, Ridener should get rid of her beta, because he/she is not doing his/her job correctly. A few typos are acceptable. Constant instances of improperly used dialogue tags are not. Speech tags are used thusly:
"Hey!" he said.
"Nice to see you," she replied.
No capital letters in speech tags. No periods within quotation marks. Any beta worth her/his salt would know this. (Authors should know this, but it's a beta's JOB to know this elementary grammar rule)
Second of all, I will admit I didn't get very far into this story before quitting. The characters were flat and bland. The "insta love" between two people who have just met was not interesting. (How does this work anyway? How can you feel so strongly toward someone you haven't even spoken to?) The whole reason for Lydia staying in her hometown was cliché and not believable. What sucks is that it wasn't even necessary to get the same effect. If Lydia was living with her grandmother, it's totally understandable that her financial situation might become dire after her grandmother's death, thus forcing her to move back home. Why even bother with a weirdo will and manufactured drama around it?
The transgender part wasn't handled particularly well. I've been trying to find a good story about transwomen, but so often these books fall into heteronormativity that I read m/m in order to escape. For example, this following conversation happens:
"I miss you more than you'll ever know, Jeb. But you seem to forget the living hell I went through while I lived here."
"That's changed." He insisted (sic). "Lydia, back then you were a boy wearing girl clothes. You played with Barbie dolls instead of the Hot Wheels our parents bought you on your birthday. You tried to give Valentine's cards to other boys..."
Oh, okay then. So Prairie Town sucked when people thought she was a gay boy, but now that she's read as female and heteronormative, Prairie Town is A-OK! What a great place! It just hates gays and non-gender conforming boys. I'm sure it'll be just great for transwomen! Unless of course he's referring to the personal hell Lydia felt inside. Even if this is the case, he's basically telling her to get over that trauma so he can live close to his sister.
The problem is that Lydia's concerns are 100% valid and her siblings are selfish assholes for putting their own desires to have Lydia nearby over Lydia's safety. If Lydia feels safer in Vermont, then maybe her siblings should move to HER, considering they won't have to fear for their lives by doing so. Ugh, hearing Jeb and Laney whine about how terrible it was that Lydia didn't plan on staying had my teeth on edge. They will NEVER understand transphobia in the way she does. Their lives will never be in danger. They will never have slurs lobbed at them, nor will they have to worry about being murdered by male partners who find out "the truth". Jeb says he'd die for his sister, but apparently moving is too much work for him. It's not like rural Vermont's much different than rural North Carolina. She didn't move to NYC, for Christ's sake.
As someone from a small town, moving in and getting a job is not an easy task. What does Lydia even DO for a living? It was never mentioned in the part of the book I read, only that she "found employment". Work is such a huge part of a person's life and especially important for transgender women who could face possible discrimination. It seems like a really weird thing to gloss over and pay no attention to. Her grandmother didn't seem to care about how difficult it might be to just up and leave a job in Vermont and start over in North Carolina. I guess it's easier if you work at Wal-Mart. But an actual career with an actual boss? Nah.
October 2, 2015
I was gifted a copy of this book by the author, and this in NO WAY influences my review.
Lydia didn't want to go home, but she had to, to attend her Gran's funeral. She was only supposed to stay for a few days, but Gran put conditions on her inheritance: 180 days in Prairie Town. It didn't take Callum long to notice his best friend's 'cousin' from out of town. It certainly did not take him 180 days to fall in love with Lydia. But some people were not pleased with Lydia's return home.
This is, in simple words, a beautiful love story. It really is!
The blurb on Amazon has a note from the author, it doesn't show on Goodreads, this is what it says: This is a story about a transgender girl and her journey to acceptance and love when she returns to her hometown. Within the pages of this book you will be introduced to characters who colour outside the lines and that's just how they like it. I implore you to give them a chance because we are all beautiful and unique in our own ways, and we all deserve love and happiness.
Now, when I first saw the blurb for this book, it didn't have the note from the author, and I did not get Lydia's secret. I still wanted to read the book, because I wanted to know about Lydia!
Its brilliantly told from Lydia and Callum's POV but we also get Jeb, Lydia's baby brother, Callum's best friend. For a while, it was just Lydia, and I was worried it would be single person POV, and then, literally as I had the thought "please NOT single POV, I couldn't bear not to hear from Callum" up popped Jeb, followed swiftly by Callum. Happie chappie didn't quite cover it!
We are introduced to the trails Lydia faced as she transitioned, the trails she STILL faces. The prejudices, the hatred.
But we are also privy to the joy that is in her life, her brother and sister. Callum. Tula and her husband (loved them!) Ags and Benji (them too!)
Such a range of colourful characters that really do colour outside the lines :-)
I'd love to catch up with the rest of the family at some point. I could sort of see where they were going, but not quite how they would get there. If that makes sense! I need to see that Lydia's brother and sister get their own happy ever after.
I've read many gay/lesbian/bi books in my time as a reviewer, but this is the first transgender book I've read. I will read more now, especially if Ms Ridener writes them.
It made me laugh, cheer, scream and shout, cry too. It ran a whole range of emotion, that you felt, every step of the way, not all of them good emotions either.
It is quite beautifully written with heat and passion off the charts in places. It's not too explicit, I thought. It is just the right amount of explicitness (is that a word? couldn't find the right one I needed!) for THIS book. Had it been any more, I think the whole book would have lost it beauty. I quote from a review I wrote for another book of Ridener's " I do, generally, prefer romances to be a little more explicit. This is not. However, on thinking on it, this book is not about the sex between these two people, it's about the LOVE and what these two will go through for each other."
I can see that some people will not like this book, some might even hate. If you are checking out the reviews before buying, I will say this: Please try it! Please!
Thank you, Ms Ridener, for introducing these people to me.
5 full and shiny stars
**same worded review will appear on Goodreads, Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com**
Lydia didn't want to go home, but she had to, to attend her Gran's funeral. She was only supposed to stay for a few days, but Gran put conditions on her inheritance: 180 days in Prairie Town. It didn't take Callum long to notice his best friend's 'cousin' from out of town. It certainly did not take him 180 days to fall in love with Lydia. But some people were not pleased with Lydia's return home.
This is, in simple words, a beautiful love story. It really is!
The blurb on Amazon has a note from the author, it doesn't show on Goodreads, this is what it says: This is a story about a transgender girl and her journey to acceptance and love when she returns to her hometown. Within the pages of this book you will be introduced to characters who colour outside the lines and that's just how they like it. I implore you to give them a chance because we are all beautiful and unique in our own ways, and we all deserve love and happiness.
Now, when I first saw the blurb for this book, it didn't have the note from the author, and I did not get Lydia's secret. I still wanted to read the book, because I wanted to know about Lydia!
Its brilliantly told from Lydia and Callum's POV but we also get Jeb, Lydia's baby brother, Callum's best friend. For a while, it was just Lydia, and I was worried it would be single person POV, and then, literally as I had the thought "please NOT single POV, I couldn't bear not to hear from Callum" up popped Jeb, followed swiftly by Callum. Happie chappie didn't quite cover it!
We are introduced to the trails Lydia faced as she transitioned, the trails she STILL faces. The prejudices, the hatred.
But we are also privy to the joy that is in her life, her brother and sister. Callum. Tula and her husband (loved them!) Ags and Benji (them too!)
Such a range of colourful characters that really do colour outside the lines :-)
I'd love to catch up with the rest of the family at some point. I could sort of see where they were going, but not quite how they would get there. If that makes sense! I need to see that Lydia's brother and sister get their own happy ever after.
I've read many gay/lesbian/bi books in my time as a reviewer, but this is the first transgender book I've read. I will read more now, especially if Ms Ridener writes them.
It made me laugh, cheer, scream and shout, cry too. It ran a whole range of emotion, that you felt, every step of the way, not all of them good emotions either.
It is quite beautifully written with heat and passion off the charts in places. It's not too explicit, I thought. It is just the right amount of explicitness (is that a word? couldn't find the right one I needed!) for THIS book. Had it been any more, I think the whole book would have lost it beauty. I quote from a review I wrote for another book of Ridener's " I do, generally, prefer romances to be a little more explicit. This is not. However, on thinking on it, this book is not about the sex between these two people, it's about the LOVE and what these two will go through for each other."
I can see that some people will not like this book, some might even hate. If you are checking out the reviews before buying, I will say this: Please try it! Please!
Thank you, Ms Ridener, for introducing these people to me.
5 full and shiny stars
**same worded review will appear on Goodreads, Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com**
November 28, 2015
3 1/2 Platypires for 180 Days by T.E. Ridener
I won a free copy from a giveaway hosted by the blog Celebrity Readers.
“Love doesn’t know gender. Love doesn’t understand what used to be or what is; it only understands what could be and what should be.”
This is my first full length trans-romance novel but not my first read with a transgender person. I heard good things about 180 days from friends of mine and was pretty excited that I won a copy.
I thought the story was really nice and well written. I liked how informative it was in explaining trans issues and procedures. I did learn a few things but I did feel it was a tad to preachy. Not sure how many people who are anti-trans would actually read this book but who knows. Everything is possible.
Now that being , I did like Lydia and Callum and thought they were really good, nice people. Actually, everybody was really accepting except for Lydia's mom and the town bully. Callum was just like prince charming and came off as the perfect man. Too perfect for me because I tend to prefer characters with a few flaws.
In all honesty, I thought 180 days read like a Hallmark movie. Its was a feel good love story with mushy, romantic goodness. I think those looking for a nice romance will like this book.
I won a free copy from a giveaway hosted by the blog Celebrity Readers.
“Love doesn’t know gender. Love doesn’t understand what used to be or what is; it only understands what could be and what should be.”
This is my first full length trans-romance novel but not my first read with a transgender person. I heard good things about 180 days from friends of mine and was pretty excited that I won a copy.
I thought the story was really nice and well written. I liked how informative it was in explaining trans issues and procedures. I did learn a few things but I did feel it was a tad to preachy. Not sure how many people who are anti-trans would actually read this book but who knows. Everything is possible.
Now that being , I did like Lydia and Callum and thought they were really good, nice people. Actually, everybody was really accepting except for Lydia's mom and the town bully. Callum was just like prince charming and came off as the perfect man. Too perfect for me because I tend to prefer characters with a few flaws.
In all honesty, I thought 180 days read like a Hallmark movie. Its was a feel good love story with mushy, romantic goodness. I think those looking for a nice romance will like this book.
October 29, 2015
I was excited to read this fictional story about Lydia and how she overcomes the stigma attached to transgender people in today's society.
Lydia comes back to hometown after her grandmother's death and must face the reality of how hurtful life can be, especially when it's her own mother that will not accept her for who she is. The rest of her family accepts her and loves her, but her mother is hurtful and downright mean. In order to get her inheritance from her grandmother, she must stay in her hometown for 6 months.
Callum is her brother's best friend, honest and straight forward kind of man. He is falling for Lydia and wants her to stay in town so he can pursue a relationship with her.
T.E Ridener does an excellent job bring out the emotions of each character and a time or two I wanted to slap Lydia's mother. Lydia's character is strong, but still carries the scars of the past.
Stubbiness can destroy a family, but love and forgiveness can also repair any damage. This story has it all and makes the reader aware of how precious life can be and we are not so different after all.
Lydia comes back to hometown after her grandmother's death and must face the reality of how hurtful life can be, especially when it's her own mother that will not accept her for who she is. The rest of her family accepts her and loves her, but her mother is hurtful and downright mean. In order to get her inheritance from her grandmother, she must stay in her hometown for 6 months.
Callum is her brother's best friend, honest and straight forward kind of man. He is falling for Lydia and wants her to stay in town so he can pursue a relationship with her.
T.E Ridener does an excellent job bring out the emotions of each character and a time or two I wanted to slap Lydia's mother. Lydia's character is strong, but still carries the scars of the past.
Stubbiness can destroy a family, but love and forgiveness can also repair any damage. This story has it all and makes the reader aware of how precious life can be and we are not so different after all.
October 2, 2015
2.5*
I really wanted to love this book, the synopsis sounded great and I loved the whole idea but...it just didn't cut it for me. I didn't feel a connection with the characters, there were quite a few jumps in the story where things weren't explained and it just seemed a bit meh. Other people might well love this one but it just wasn't for me.
I really wanted to love this book, the synopsis sounded great and I loved the whole idea but...it just didn't cut it for me. I didn't feel a connection with the characters, there were quite a few jumps in the story where things weren't explained and it just seemed a bit meh. Other people might well love this one but it just wasn't for me.
December 9, 2016
This is a wonderfully written story of transgender girl's journey to find love, acceptance, and home. When I heard this book was coming out, I was so excited (and impatient) to read it. I got it the minute I saw it went live and could not put it down. It had all the feels and some great laughs.
I loved these characters. I want friends like these! And Callum? <3!
MORE PLEASE! :)
I loved these characters. I want friends like these! And Callum? <3!
MORE PLEASE! :)
Want to read
March 19, 2020🎁 Prairie Town Series (5 book series) is FREE on Amazon today (3/19/2020)! 🎁
July 14, 2016
I received a free copy via Inked Rainbow in exchange for an honest review.
I chose this book because I liked the premise and I love reading good stories about trans characters. I'm really torn on how I feel about this one.
On the one hand, I really liked the characters. Lydia was sweet and funny, and I loved Callum. With the exception of Lydia's mother, I thought her family was great. There were a number of supporting characters I really liked as well.
On the other hand, I found so many little things that frustrated me. One or two things might not have been a big deal, but that many were distracting. I feel like trans people reading this might want to be forewarned, and people hoping to understand being trans might come away more confused than before. So here are the things which left me feeling uncomfortable.
There were some factual inaccuracies (for example, the FDA has no official stated policy on trans blood donation, and if you've changed your gender with Social Security, no one could tell that way that you're trans; discrimination happens, but in the scenario in the story, it's highly unlikely--I just can't give spoilers for why). The timeline was really confusing with flashbacks to Lydia's life before she left, and it felt like there were holes there. I was put off by constant references to "the sex change thing" and other outdated language. Agatha was potentially a great character, but it got lost in their constant name changes (Agatha, Agnes, Aggie, Ags--which I couldn't tell if they were related to Agatha's in the moment sense of gender or just an error or some other reason) and referring to being gender fluid as "split personalities." Laney identifying as "not into men" but being interested in Benji was also horribly problematic (trans men are men, not some other gender unless they state otherwise and definitely are not lesbians). The trans characters often referred to their dead names (pre-transition/birth-assigned names). Almost all the trans characters were basically heterosexual, and Lydia kept referring to "real sex" despite having been intimate in many ways with Callum by that point. There was heavy focus on "passing" and having sex reassignment surgery. The plot device at the end was a bit over the top for my preference as well.
I'm glad to see more people taking an interest in writing about trans characters, and I hope the trend continues. I did enjoy the love story, but the other elements made it hard to concentrate on that aspect. I guess this just wasn't really the book I hoped it would be.
I chose this book because I liked the premise and I love reading good stories about trans characters. I'm really torn on how I feel about this one.
On the one hand, I really liked the characters. Lydia was sweet and funny, and I loved Callum. With the exception of Lydia's mother, I thought her family was great. There were a number of supporting characters I really liked as well.
On the other hand, I found so many little things that frustrated me. One or two things might not have been a big deal, but that many were distracting. I feel like trans people reading this might want to be forewarned, and people hoping to understand being trans might come away more confused than before. So here are the things which left me feeling uncomfortable.
There were some factual inaccuracies (for example, the FDA has no official stated policy on trans blood donation, and if you've changed your gender with Social Security, no one could tell that way that you're trans; discrimination happens, but in the scenario in the story, it's highly unlikely--I just can't give spoilers for why). The timeline was really confusing with flashbacks to Lydia's life before she left, and it felt like there were holes there. I was put off by constant references to "the sex change thing" and other outdated language. Agatha was potentially a great character, but it got lost in their constant name changes (Agatha, Agnes, Aggie, Ags--which I couldn't tell if they were related to Agatha's in the moment sense of gender or just an error or some other reason) and referring to being gender fluid as "split personalities." Laney identifying as "not into men" but being interested in Benji was also horribly problematic (trans men are men, not some other gender unless they state otherwise and definitely are not lesbians). The trans characters often referred to their dead names (pre-transition/birth-assigned names). Almost all the trans characters were basically heterosexual, and Lydia kept referring to "real sex" despite having been intimate in many ways with Callum by that point. There was heavy focus on "passing" and having sex reassignment surgery. The plot device at the end was a bit over the top for my preference as well.
I'm glad to see more people taking an interest in writing about trans characters, and I hope the trend continues. I did enjoy the love story, but the other elements made it hard to concentrate on that aspect. I guess this just wasn't really the book I hoped it would be.
October 19, 2015
My Review as it appears on Avid Reader Amy's Reviews
180 Days is one of those brave books that have to be written. It is a fictional story but the premise behind is very real. The author writes about the subject of transgender. This is something that is in the forefront of our society. It talks about the pain that comes from not being accepted and the emotions that arise from finding yourself.
The character of Lydia has taken the steps needed to be who she is truly supposed to be. Her journey now is to find that forever happiness that she craves. Unfortunately terrible circumstances force her to go back to her hometown. A town that was not a progressive and open as the rest of the world. To make things worse, her mother refuses to accept her. She's forced to stay in town for 6 months and take the chance at finding love. She meets Callum who is a breath of fresh air. He shows her that staying in town can be worth it and that everyone deserves a chance at love.
I loved Lydia's character. She has a vulnerability and strength about her that makes her appealing. Even though her mom refuses to accept her, she still loves her mom and would do anything for her. That shows that she is a bigger person and has unconditional love for others even if they don't have it for her. Reading her story, I was glad that Lydia stayed. She got to see that the town isn't exactly as it was when she left and people are willing to embrace her no matter what.
The author does a wonderful job at touching on the emotions that Lydia is facing. The author doesn't skirt around with this and does a great job in explaining things. She wrote a beautiful story and I hope everyone reads it. I wish that more authors were as brave as Ridener and told more stories like this one.
This story has a HEA but we all know in real life a lot of transgender people do not get their HEA. It's really sad that they are treated so harshly by others because they just want to be who they are supposed to be. Unfortunately it is a sad case in our world. Hopefully one day we can all love one another for who we are.
180 Days is one of those brave books that have to be written. It is a fictional story but the premise behind is very real. The author writes about the subject of transgender. This is something that is in the forefront of our society. It talks about the pain that comes from not being accepted and the emotions that arise from finding yourself.
The character of Lydia has taken the steps needed to be who she is truly supposed to be. Her journey now is to find that forever happiness that she craves. Unfortunately terrible circumstances force her to go back to her hometown. A town that was not a progressive and open as the rest of the world. To make things worse, her mother refuses to accept her. She's forced to stay in town for 6 months and take the chance at finding love. She meets Callum who is a breath of fresh air. He shows her that staying in town can be worth it and that everyone deserves a chance at love.
I loved Lydia's character. She has a vulnerability and strength about her that makes her appealing. Even though her mom refuses to accept her, she still loves her mom and would do anything for her. That shows that she is a bigger person and has unconditional love for others even if they don't have it for her. Reading her story, I was glad that Lydia stayed. She got to see that the town isn't exactly as it was when she left and people are willing to embrace her no matter what.
The author does a wonderful job at touching on the emotions that Lydia is facing. The author doesn't skirt around with this and does a great job in explaining things. She wrote a beautiful story and I hope everyone reads it. I wish that more authors were as brave as Ridener and told more stories like this one.
This story has a HEA but we all know in real life a lot of transgender people do not get their HEA. It's really sad that they are treated so harshly by others because they just want to be who they are supposed to be. Unfortunately it is a sad case in our world. Hopefully one day we can all love one another for who we are.
January 8, 2016
This book is on my 2015 reading challenge as part of books I don't normally read. I'm not into M/M and LGBT romance. Not because of anything but just because they are not for me specially when it tends to be too graphic. Reading 180 Days made me think that transromance are not so bad. I've read a couple of M/M before but this is my first time reading a trans novel.
I can honestly say that I enjoyed the book as a whole. It's quite informative too when it comes to the trans process - physically and emotionally. The story in general was good and smooth flowing and even though it's also the first time for me to read this author, I found her writing really good and engaging. The characters was very individual that you can easily distinguish who's who even if you take out the description of who's talking. It's why even my brain who's so poor with regards to name easily picked up between Laney and Lydia which otherwise I could easily mixed up.
This book was almost like a fairy tale. Everyone was really accepting and nice except for the heroine's mother. Which kind of bothered me. I'm not discriminating or anything but with the way Prairie Town was described I didn't expect everything to be that easy for Lydia. I was expecting something like hesitation, doubt and confusion around the characters before the understanding and acceptance came. It's acceptable with Callum since he's in love but I expected at least that much from his parents and the other characters in the novel. It gave me the feeling that 'this kind of story happens only in the movies' kind of feel. Plus there was really no conflict between the hero and heroine which is something I expect for somewhat of a whirlwind romance like this one.
All that considered, reading 180 Days has been a quite a nice experience for me. And if the author do writes a different genre, I won't hesitate to give it a try.
I can honestly say that I enjoyed the book as a whole. It's quite informative too when it comes to the trans process - physically and emotionally. The story in general was good and smooth flowing and even though it's also the first time for me to read this author, I found her writing really good and engaging. The characters was very individual that you can easily distinguish who's who even if you take out the description of who's talking. It's why even my brain who's so poor with regards to name easily picked up between Laney and Lydia which otherwise I could easily mixed up.
This book was almost like a fairy tale. Everyone was really accepting and nice except for the heroine's mother. Which kind of bothered me. I'm not discriminating or anything but with the way Prairie Town was described I didn't expect everything to be that easy for Lydia. I was expecting something like hesitation, doubt and confusion around the characters before the understanding and acceptance came. It's acceptable with Callum since he's in love but I expected at least that much from his parents and the other characters in the novel. It gave me the feeling that 'this kind of story happens only in the movies' kind of feel. Plus there was really no conflict between the hero and heroine which is something I expect for somewhat of a whirlwind romance like this one.
All that considered, reading 180 Days has been a quite a nice experience for me. And if the author do writes a different genre, I won't hesitate to give it a try.
November 6, 2015
I was excited to read this fictional story about Lydia and how she overcomes the stigma attached to transgender people in today's society.
Lydia comes back to hometown after her grandmother's death and must face the reality of how hurtful life can be, especially when it's her own mother that will not accept her for who she is. The rest of her family accepts her and loves her, but her mother is hurtful and downright mean. In order to get her inheritance from her grandmother, she must stay in her hometown for 6 months.
Callum is her brother's best friend, honest and straight forward kind of man. He is falling for Lydia and wants her to stay in town so he can pursue a relationship with her.
T.E Ridener does an excellent job bring out the emotions of each character and a time or two I wanted to slap Lydia's mother. Lydia's character is strong, but still carries the scars of the past.
Stubbiness can destroy a family, but love and forgiveness can also repair any damage. This story has it all and makes the reader aware of how precious life can be and we are not so different after all.
Lydia comes back to hometown after her grandmother's death and must face the reality of how hurtful life can be, especially when it's her own mother that will not accept her for who she is. The rest of her family accepts her and loves her, but her mother is hurtful and downright mean. In order to get her inheritance from her grandmother, she must stay in her hometown for 6 months.
Callum is her brother's best friend, honest and straight forward kind of man. He is falling for Lydia and wants her to stay in town so he can pursue a relationship with her.
T.E Ridener does an excellent job bring out the emotions of each character and a time or two I wanted to slap Lydia's mother. Lydia's character is strong, but still carries the scars of the past.
Stubbiness can destroy a family, but love and forgiveness can also repair any damage. This story has it all and makes the reader aware of how precious life can be and we are not so different after all.
October 2, 2015
This is a BEAUTIFUL story about a transgender girl, the main theme for the book is love, acceptance and forgiveness. I promise this is a book you are definitely going to fall in love with!!! It will make you laugh, it will make you cry, it will make you angry and most important of all it will make you LOVE. This story will rip your heart to pieces but it will definitely put it back together and I promise you by the end of the book your heart or you will not be the same. I truly feel with all my heart that this story will change people's thoughts, hearts, minds and lives. This story is not only beautiful, amazing and touching but it is truly inspiring and I hope that after you read this review you decide to buy this book and dive right into the life of a woman, daughter, sister, granddaughter, girlfriend, friend and truly beautiful HUMAN BEING that is Lydia McIntosh!!!
April 4, 2016
We meet Lydia standing on the porch of her childhood home. Memories flash through her mind of what she left behind 14 years before. She has returned for her beloved Gran's funeral. Gran took the child away with her saying:
"Come with me, baby. There's nothing for you in this town. A beautiful bird must never be caged. It's time for you to fly."
We are quickly introduced to Harold, Lydia's father, as well as her sister Laney, brother Jebson and his best friend Callum. Mrs. McIntosh enters the room shortly after Callum and the tension becomes palpable between her and Lydia.
The story has many wonderful turns and twists, the biggest being at the end.
http://crazyforindies.blogspot.com/20...
"Come with me, baby. There's nothing for you in this town. A beautiful bird must never be caged. It's time for you to fly."
We are quickly introduced to Harold, Lydia's father, as well as her sister Laney, brother Jebson and his best friend Callum. Mrs. McIntosh enters the room shortly after Callum and the tension becomes palpable between her and Lydia.
The story has many wonderful turns and twists, the biggest being at the end.
http://crazyforindies.blogspot.com/20...
November 11, 2015
180 Days by T.E. Ridener is honestly one of the best books of 2015. This story is about Lydia, a transgender female who has to move back home for six months. Lydia McIntosh is adjusting to life in her hometown and dealing with the rejection of loved ones and running into the ones who tormented her growing up.
This story is beautifully written and should be read by everyone because it teaches about tolerance. 180 Days is the type of story that makes you stop and think of what transgendered people go through on a daily basis. It will make you laugh and it will make you cry.
There is great character growth in the story. I will definitely recommend this story to everyone. I give 180 Days 5/5 Platypires.
This story is beautifully written and should be read by everyone because it teaches about tolerance. 180 Days is the type of story that makes you stop and think of what transgendered people go through on a daily basis. It will make you laugh and it will make you cry.
There is great character growth in the story. I will definitely recommend this story to everyone. I give 180 Days 5/5 Platypires.
October 5, 2015
Received a copy for an honest review i loved this book and the characters in it normally i don't read transgender books but thanks to T.E i am going to start reading more i think it is wonderful that she once again wrote about something that many consider taboo and although it was written like a fairy tale that is perfect and happy in almost every way i love how it reminds you that we are all the same inside we all share the same fears and doubts and that we can affect those around us with our attitudes it was a great book that i recommend giving a chance and it isn't graphic so no worries on that front
November 14, 2015
I've not read a book about transgender before so this is new to me. It is a truly heart warming story. The author has given these characters life & it's wonderfully written with love & lots of emotions. It certainly hit all of my emotions. it's a beautiful story. I would love to meet them if they were real.
I'm not going to go into it but for a romance story this is one you so need to read. It's funny & sad & it pulls you every which way. One thing I can say is everybody deserves love & happiness & nothing or no one should stand in your way. This book tells that story brilliantly. Thank you x
I'm not going to go into it but for a romance story this is one you so need to read. It's funny & sad & it pulls you every which way. One thing I can say is everybody deserves love & happiness & nothing or no one should stand in your way. This book tells that story brilliantly. Thank you x
October 21, 2015
WOW T.E Ridener does it again another amazing read
December 17, 2022
Lydia is a transgender woman who left her home and family as a child to live with her grandmother, partly to escape the bullying she was subject to, and also to be with someone willing to understand and support her in her struggle to be a girl locked in a boy’s body. Years later she returns home as an adult to bury her grandmother, having gone through her transition to a young woman. Her father, brother, and sister have accepted her as a woman, but her mother has not, refusing to accept her and continuing to call her Jonathan. Lydia meets Callum, her brother’s best friend, and the two are definitely drawn to each other.
Lydia is desperately afraid that people in the town will not accept her, and she plans to return north once the funeral is over, but her plans change based on her grandmother’s will. The home has been sold, her belongings are on their way to her, and she must stay in her home town for 6 months before she can receive her inheritance. She is not happy, but has no choice but to find an apartment and a job until the 6 months are over.
As the weeks and months pass, Lydia becomes more comfortable with the thought of staying and her relationship with Callum grows. All is not without problems as the month pass though, and Lydia must come to terms with feelings and fears she has before she can decide what to do at the end of the 180 days.
I have read very little, nor know much at all, about transgender men or women, about the fears they have when trying to become the person they felt they were meant to be, fears about acceptance by friends, family, and society in general, and dealing with feeling and fears about intimate relations with a partner. This book was valuable to me because it started a beginning education about a segment of society still not accepted in many parts of our country and the world today. That is the reason I chose to read this book and I am glad I did. I have a better awareness than I did before this book, and that is a good thing.
Lydia is desperately afraid that people in the town will not accept her, and she plans to return north once the funeral is over, but her plans change based on her grandmother’s will. The home has been sold, her belongings are on their way to her, and she must stay in her home town for 6 months before she can receive her inheritance. She is not happy, but has no choice but to find an apartment and a job until the 6 months are over.
As the weeks and months pass, Lydia becomes more comfortable with the thought of staying and her relationship with Callum grows. All is not without problems as the month pass though, and Lydia must come to terms with feelings and fears she has before she can decide what to do at the end of the 180 days.
I have read very little, nor know much at all, about transgender men or women, about the fears they have when trying to become the person they felt they were meant to be, fears about acceptance by friends, family, and society in general, and dealing with feeling and fears about intimate relations with a partner. This book was valuable to me because it started a beginning education about a segment of society still not accepted in many parts of our country and the world today. That is the reason I chose to read this book and I am glad I did. I have a better awareness than I did before this book, and that is a good thing.
August 22, 2022
180 days is a good ya story featuring a transgender woman and a respectful, open, and caring man.
You can't help but feel the heartbreak and turmoil that Lydia is experiencing. Not only dies she have to try to cope with the fact that her grandma who has been her number 1 supporter is gone, she also has to deal with her mom not acknowledging her as herself. Add in the fact that she's also dealing with the guilt and sadness from being away from her family for so long and you can see why Lydia wants to leave.
I think that this book was really well written, it's sensitive and thought out, it's poignant and beautiful. Lydia loves her body but she is so afraid that Callum is going to run once he sees it. This story tells the tale of Lydia finding self acceptance and learning to trust the people who do support her and care. She also learns to trust new people in her life to live her just the way she is.
I have to say I adored Callum and Jeb. I really liked how they were written and the kids of personalities they were given.
I really want Jeb to get his own story, I really hope he does at some point.
I loved this story, the characters, the message that is clearly written into this book, the execution, and the delivery. Everything about this really. I appreciated that Callum and Lydia didn't rush into anything, they took their time to know each other and made sure that each other felt safe and comfortable.
I highly, highly recommend this!!
*I received a copy of this book and this is my honest review.*
You can't help but feel the heartbreak and turmoil that Lydia is experiencing. Not only dies she have to try to cope with the fact that her grandma who has been her number 1 supporter is gone, she also has to deal with her mom not acknowledging her as herself. Add in the fact that she's also dealing with the guilt and sadness from being away from her family for so long and you can see why Lydia wants to leave.
I think that this book was really well written, it's sensitive and thought out, it's poignant and beautiful. Lydia loves her body but she is so afraid that Callum is going to run once he sees it. This story tells the tale of Lydia finding self acceptance and learning to trust the people who do support her and care. She also learns to trust new people in her life to live her just the way she is.
I have to say I adored Callum and Jeb. I really liked how they were written and the kids of personalities they were given.
I really want Jeb to get his own story, I really hope he does at some point.
I loved this story, the characters, the message that is clearly written into this book, the execution, and the delivery. Everything about this really. I appreciated that Callum and Lydia didn't rush into anything, they took their time to know each other and made sure that each other felt safe and comfortable.
I highly, highly recommend this!!
*I received a copy of this book and this is my honest review.*
May 31, 2017
Bordered on excessively moralizing for most of the book, but didn't cross the line and the story was good enough to overlook it for the most part. It's an important topic for the author, but I think it could have been just as effective without spelling everything out and hammering their points repeatedly. There were a few instances where I think it would have been better to "show, not tell".
Beyond that, there were lots of small town stereotypes and cliches, and the plot was pretty formulaic, but it was well executed and I enjoyed it.
3.5, for excessive belaboring of the point.
Beyond that, there were lots of small town stereotypes and cliches, and the plot was pretty formulaic, but it was well executed and I enjoyed it.
3.5, for excessive belaboring of the point.
July 2, 2022
When I first started reading this I was tempted to thank the author but not read it. I am so glad I changed my mind. I originally thought it was going to be a M/M book. Lydia McIntosh was originally born a Jonathan McIntosh. At an early age she told her parents, I'm not a boy. The mother couldn't accept this & sent her off to live with her grandmother. When her grandmother passes she is willed to live in Prairie Town for 180 days & she will receive an inheritance. Mom still doesn't approve but the rest of her family is ecstatic over it, even her brother's best friend Callum. This was a very well written book, I was offered an Arc for an honest opinion.
March 27, 2020
Beautiful love story
Another great read from T.E. Ridener! It’s beautiful story of unconditional love that had me flipping pages as fast as I could from the very beginning. Highly recommend.
Another great read from T.E. Ridener! It’s beautiful story of unconditional love that had me flipping pages as fast as I could from the very beginning. Highly recommend.
August 1, 2017
LOVED IT
February 25, 2017
I'm happy that this book wound up being my first romance with a transgender lead character in it. Through reading it, I was able to diversify my reading even more. And it's not just a box for me to check off. It was a way to expand my understanding and knowledge of the real world where such a variety of people live. Along with that, I was able to discover a series that might make it on my favorites list as I read more of the Prairie Town books.
There was so much in this book that I loved. I could go on and on about the characters and the depth the author gave to them. Ridener was even able to make me enjoy a book with more than two POVs. And I think that was a major plus for helping the book work. As a reader I was able to see into the minds of a variety of characters, and not just the two romantic leads.
And this book was more than just a romance, though it was in there and worth the read for it alone. It's a coming of age story. It's a novel about family and acceptance within a family, a community, and within oneself. There are many different levels in 180 Days and I'd rather not pick the book apart. I think it's better to just know that this book was a great read and worth giving a chance! It also has me eyeing the rest of the books in the series already, and I've only just finished it this morning. I can't wait to visit Prairie Town again soon.
There was so much in this book that I loved. I could go on and on about the characters and the depth the author gave to them. Ridener was even able to make me enjoy a book with more than two POVs. And I think that was a major plus for helping the book work. As a reader I was able to see into the minds of a variety of characters, and not just the two romantic leads.
And this book was more than just a romance, though it was in there and worth the read for it alone. It's a coming of age story. It's a novel about family and acceptance within a family, a community, and within oneself. There are many different levels in 180 Days and I'd rather not pick the book apart. I think it's better to just know that this book was a great read and worth giving a chance! It also has me eyeing the rest of the books in the series already, and I've only just finished it this morning. I can't wait to visit Prairie Town again soon.
December 12, 2015
This was another book I wanted to read but couldn't find the time. I'm so happy the book blogger group I'm a part of decided on this for our book of the month. I didn't even know what I was missing in my life until I picked it up. I'm not even exaggerating. My husband would walk around the corner to our living room and I would have to cover my face because I was ugly crying so hard. I've had a few books that made me cry, but I haven't had an ugly cry book in a LONG time. I'm talking, my husband was concerned. haha I loved every single character in the book. (yes. every. single. one) I've lived in small towns were this was the norm. Hate and nonacceptance. It made my heart smile to see that change over the years. Anyways, back to the book...I love it. The storyline was adorable and heartwarming. It was perfect for this time of year in my opinion. I'm going to keep bugging the author until I get the second book. From what I see it'll be about different characters, but I really don't mind. I needed more of this story, yesterday! Go grab this book now. (I would like to note; I purchased this book and would again in a heartbeat)
Also: My favorite Quotes
...."I wouldn’t have left at all if it hadn’t been for Laney. She went ten shades of alpha-female on me. I honestly felt my life was in danger.” “You did not.” She rolled her eyes and laughed. “Laney wouldn’t hurt a fly.” “Maybe not, but she would hurt a Callum. Trust me.”
“I love you.” He murmured, burying his face into her hair and inhaling the sweet-smelling scent of her shampoo. “Mmm.” She mumbled, shifting slightly and getting more comfortable as she slept. It wasn’t that he wanted to wake her up just yet, but it actually kind of was. Sometimes he just didn’t want to share her with her dreams.
Also: My favorite Quotes
...."I wouldn’t have left at all if it hadn’t been for Laney. She went ten shades of alpha-female on me. I honestly felt my life was in danger.” “You did not.” She rolled her eyes and laughed. “Laney wouldn’t hurt a fly.” “Maybe not, but she would hurt a Callum. Trust me.”
“I love you.” He murmured, burying his face into her hair and inhaling the sweet-smelling scent of her shampoo. “Mmm.” She mumbled, shifting slightly and getting more comfortable as she slept. It wasn’t that he wanted to wake her up just yet, but it actually kind of was. Sometimes he just didn’t want to share her with her dreams.
April 25, 2016
I picked this book up because I want to read more books with trans main characters and this is the first story I've read with a mtf heroine.
What I liked...
• It's sweet, positive and enchanting.
• The writing is confident and engaging.
• Whilst the majority of characters accept Lydia as Lydia, she faces some prejudice from her mother. I don't 'like' this per se but I appreciate that the effort was made to portray it.
• Agatha! Lydia's larger than life, gender fluid bestie is probably my favourite character.
• Lydia is self-assured, confident and well-rounded. Yet, she still has some issues to work through, like how to pursue a romantic relationship. Enter Callum... heh, heh.
What didn't work for me...
• The romance is all very fairytale and simplistic with no real conflict or tension between the characters.
• I absolutely do not like how Lydia's brother's violence is portrayed. In a book that highlights the violence and brutality suffered by trans people, I find it kind of distasteful for someone to be congratulated and justified when they attack someone for calling their sister 'a nice piece of ass'. Sure the guy is a dick but Jeb's reaction is terrible.
• The drama in the final 10% is mechanical and contrived.
• The 'bad guy' is very caricature-ish.
All in all I feel that 180 Days is a fun, light-hearted read. It's probably not the best example of trans representation out there. It is also a sugary sweet love story with a cute, if slightly unsatisfying, HEA.
I gave it 3-3.5 stars.
What I liked...
• It's sweet, positive and enchanting.
• The writing is confident and engaging.
• Whilst the majority of characters accept Lydia as Lydia, she faces some prejudice from her mother. I don't 'like' this per se but I appreciate that the effort was made to portray it.
• Agatha! Lydia's larger than life, gender fluid bestie is probably my favourite character.
• Lydia is self-assured, confident and well-rounded. Yet, she still has some issues to work through, like how to pursue a romantic relationship. Enter Callum... heh, heh.
What didn't work for me...
• The romance is all very fairytale and simplistic with no real conflict or tension between the characters.
• I absolutely do not like how Lydia's brother's violence is portrayed. In a book that highlights the violence and brutality suffered by trans people, I find it kind of distasteful for someone to be congratulated and justified when they attack someone for calling their sister 'a nice piece of ass'. Sure the guy is a dick but Jeb's reaction is terrible.
• The drama in the final 10% is mechanical and contrived.
• The 'bad guy' is very caricature-ish.
All in all I feel that 180 Days is a fun, light-hearted read. It's probably not the best example of trans representation out there. It is also a sugary sweet love story with a cute, if slightly unsatisfying, HEA.
I gave it 3-3.5 stars.
February 20, 2024
180 Days is the first novel in the Prairie Town series. It tells the story of Lydia, who only goes back home for her grandmother's funeral. There she reunited with her family - father, brother and sister with delight, but her mother is none too pleased to see her. Her mother's prejudice runs throughout the story.
The love story between Callum and Lydia is warm and loving, with some steam but not too much. Their relationship is more than 'just' sex. The relationships that Lydia has with others are great to read about too. She has a loving brother and sister, plus some fantastic friends in Tula, Paul, Ags and Benji, to name but some. I love the hint of things to come too, without it going into detail. There are some wonderful highlights, plus some heartbreaking moments.
Although I loved the characters, the one that I couldn't quite grasp is Ags. I get the 'gender-fluid' (sometimes male, sometimes female), but then there was the whole name change part. I read four different names and I got confused as to when they were used. I am looking forward to reading further along in this series where I hope I understand it better.
This is a fantastic book, sensitively written, that I have no hesitation in recommending.
* Verified Purchase - June 2016 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Sep 5, 2016
The love story between Callum and Lydia is warm and loving, with some steam but not too much. Their relationship is more than 'just' sex. The relationships that Lydia has with others are great to read about too. She has a loving brother and sister, plus some fantastic friends in Tula, Paul, Ags and Benji, to name but some. I love the hint of things to come too, without it going into detail. There are some wonderful highlights, plus some heartbreaking moments.
Although I loved the characters, the one that I couldn't quite grasp is Ags. I get the 'gender-fluid' (sometimes male, sometimes female), but then there was the whole name change part. I read four different names and I got confused as to when they were used. I am looking forward to reading further along in this series where I hope I understand it better.
This is a fantastic book, sensitively written, that I have no hesitation in recommending.
* Verified Purchase - June 2016 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Sep 5, 2016
January 22, 2016
A gifted copy was given in exchange for an honest review.
Another great story from this talented author.
Lydia returns to her hometown after several years away from it. She knows she has her father and siblings’ support, but the one she always wanted to have is her mother’s. She can accept that her son is now her daughter and that hurts Lydia a lot. She doesn’t understand how her father loves her unconditionally, and her mother is unable to do it.
Lydia is also afraid of not finding someone to love, that no one loves her because of her past. Difficult as it may seem, there is someone who falls for her at first sight.
A great story about the pain people suffers when they are not accepted because of being different. A pain that is even insufferable when it is their own family who doesn’t accept them. A love story that will make you feel sad and angry but at the same time it will feel you with love and happiness. Very well-written and easy to get into the story from the first sentence. I love it.
Another great story from this talented author.
Lydia returns to her hometown after several years away from it. She knows she has her father and siblings’ support, but the one she always wanted to have is her mother’s. She can accept that her son is now her daughter and that hurts Lydia a lot. She doesn’t understand how her father loves her unconditionally, and her mother is unable to do it.
Lydia is also afraid of not finding someone to love, that no one loves her because of her past. Difficult as it may seem, there is someone who falls for her at first sight.
A great story about the pain people suffers when they are not accepted because of being different. A pain that is even insufferable when it is their own family who doesn’t accept them. A love story that will make you feel sad and angry but at the same time it will feel you with love and happiness. Very well-written and easy to get into the story from the first sentence. I love it.
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