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The Bradford McKinley Chronicles #2
The Transition Zone
Theo has been running all his life.
Mostly, he's been running from his feelings. His father died years ago, and with no one else able or willing to help them, Theo has had to support his mother, take care of his siblings, and live up to the family name by being a Proper Man.
He's had no time to think about who he truly wants to be.
But when he gets to college, a thousand miles from home, away from all the expectations and pressure, he finally has a chance to slow down, catch his breath, and experiment.
He has a chance to notice things about himself.
The Transition Zone is the story of a young queer person discovering their true identity, and the friends and family they meet and bond with along the way.
Mostly, he's been running from his feelings. His father died years ago, and with no one else able or willing to help them, Theo has had to support his mother, take care of his siblings, and live up to the family name by being a Proper Man.
He's had no time to think about who he truly wants to be.
But when he gets to college, a thousand miles from home, away from all the expectations and pressure, he finally has a chance to slow down, catch his breath, and experiment.
He has a chance to notice things about himself.
The Transition Zone is the story of a young queer person discovering their true identity, and the friends and family they meet and bond with along the way.
- GenresTransgenderQueerLGBT
Paperback
First published July 15, 2022
3 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 17, 2025
I somehow only found out by now that this is a series and I read it in the complete wrong order. Sadly this was the weakest of the series that if read so far. The chemistry and development of the characters felt a bit off. Nonetheless I really like this book genre and enjoy fleeing in other worlds where transitioning, etc is a lot simpler and more straight forward. (not necessarily easier but the characters always find their way to embrace their true way thanks to supportive friends and more)
April 26, 2025
Surprisingly really good. Tackled a lot of progressive topics and handled really well hehehe Wished there was more loveydovey scenes between the lovers.
March 23, 2024
Better than its predecessor, actually has a bit of conflict and drama to it, but ultimately a happy story.
The protagonist is such an oblivious egg, but I love her.
The protagonist is such an oblivious egg, but I love her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 3, 2024
So I already like this story more than Alex - mainly because not everything goes smoothly and our protagonist actually has a few things to consider.
Theo grew up pretty sheltered and wants to use college to get away from expectations and experiment. But I don't think he planned on becoming part of queer friend group and finding out he trans that way.
She is very much unaware of the social etiquette around queer identities and puts her foot in her mouth a few times but it's cool to see her discover it all for the first time. It also helps that we get to see her at home and with family and the relatives who have shaped some of her upbringing and unconscious biases.
Being in Allie's head makes it easy to understand how a person could ignore all the signs that they might be trans, especially when there is no one else around to spot them as well. Luckily, she has friends (some of them who were introduced in Alex) to help her navigate her new life after it all comes to a head during Christmas.
Another element I liked is that Allie is in college on a sports scholarship and her medical transition could come in the way of keeping those funds. Unlike Lexi, who quickly took all the necessary steps towards being more comfortable with her body, Allie has a few more things to consider and while the coach is honest about the legal complications and possible hurdles, the overall supportive nature helps offset any feelings of fear or distress that might push her back into the closet.
I think all those elements work well together to create an interesting story.
And that bonus chapter, Names, was a really sweet touch.
But just with book 1, while the romance was well foreshadowed and I do think all three fit together, I was really not feeling their relationship - maybe it was the teasing (that truth-or-dare game gave me such strong secondhand embarrassment) or how little Allie ever even considered her own feeling on the matter of dating (1. she repressed a lot and 2. she's obviously busy with many other things right now?) or the setup of how Pat and Lexi broached the topic. It just did not feel right.
Theo grew up pretty sheltered and wants to use college to get away from expectations and experiment. But I don't think he planned on becoming part of queer friend group and finding out he trans that way.
She is very much unaware of the social etiquette around queer identities and puts her foot in her mouth a few times but it's cool to see her discover it all for the first time. It also helps that we get to see her at home and with family and the relatives who have shaped some of her upbringing and unconscious biases.
Being in Allie's head makes it easy to understand how a person could ignore all the signs that they might be trans, especially when there is no one else around to spot them as well. Luckily, she has friends (some of them who were introduced in Alex) to help her navigate her new life after it all comes to a head during Christmas.
Another element I liked is that Allie is in college on a sports scholarship and her medical transition could come in the way of keeping those funds. Unlike Lexi, who quickly took all the necessary steps towards being more comfortable with her body, Allie has a few more things to consider and while the coach is honest about the legal complications and possible hurdles, the overall supportive nature helps offset any feelings of fear or distress that might push her back into the closet.
I think all those elements work well together to create an interesting story.
And that bonus chapter, Names, was a really sweet touch.
But just with book 1, while the romance was well foreshadowed and I do think all three fit together, I was really not feeling their relationship - maybe it was the teasing (that truth-or-dare game gave me such strong secondhand embarrassment) or how little Allie ever even considered her own feeling on the matter of dating (1. she repressed a lot and 2. she's obviously busy with many other things right now?) or the setup of how Pat and Lexi broached the topic. It just did not feel right.
October 21, 2023
Alex was a great read. The Transition Zone was absolutely brilliant, and I loved it even more than the first one. Another hatching story at the same school as Alex, it was warm and endearing, and seeing the relationships grow between the characters, as they learn just how much they really mean to each other as they take that journey together was just so awesome. It highlights other aspects that can be found in lgbtq communities, and the ending was just adorable. If you liked Alex, then you owe it to yourself to pick this one up.
November 12, 2024
Overall: The best slice-of-life trans queer (romance) story I've read.
This book *shook* me. I loved MC's story, their desperation, their needs, their life.
Everything resonates in me.
And a very sweet polyamourous depiction.
I can only recommend you reading it.
This book *shook* me. I loved MC's story, their desperation, their needs, their life.
Everything resonates in me.
And a very sweet polyamourous depiction.
I can only recommend you reading it.
March 14, 2023
I really liked this book ! It's a nice story about a boy who discover her inner self. Very supportive friends and family !
December 23, 2024
Light 4
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews