If I was Your Girl

If I was Your Girl is by debut author Meredith Russo.

Amanda Hardy is the new girl in school in Lambertville, Tennessee. Like any other girl, all she wants is to make friends and fit in. But Amanda is keeping a secret. There’s a reason why she transferred schools for her senior year, and why she’s determined not to get too close to anyone.

And then she meets Grant Everett. Grant is unlike anyone she’s ever met—open, honest, kind—and Amanda can’t help but start to let him into her life. As they spend more time together, she finds herself yearning to share with Grant everything about herself…including her past. But she’s terrified that once she tells Grant the truth, he won't be able to see past it.

Because the secret that Amanda’s been keeping? It’s that she used to be Andrew. 

The Breakdown:
1. Russo presents an interesting topic in her debut novel of being transgender. It is, sadly, a rarely explored topic in YA fiction. Russo does a great job of making Amanda a character that many can relate to, even if they are not transgender.  Everyone has secrets that they are scared will make others not like them.

2. I love the switch between Amanda's present life and the past.  It helped me to understand Amanda's feelings and her insecurities better. Plus it tales of her transition from boy to girl.

3. I adore Amanda's mother.  She accepted her for who she was no matter what.  Supported her through the hard decisions. She was definitely an amazing woman.

4. My biggest complaint for this book is Russo copious use of the word "ain't." Being from the south myself, I have to say I very rarely use it, and it felt like Russo used every opportunity to use it, not matter the character or the situation.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read