Rowan

by Ila Golden

Exam nerves suck. Exam nerves that cause dog brain, even worse. Rowan would never wish away his species dysphoria, but at times like this he definitely wishes it didn’t cause him so many problems all the time.

Worse still the friends who’ve no idea the dog side of him even exists are starting to question his behaviour. Okay, sure, maybe right now they think it’s to do with his blood clots, but how long can he really stop them from finding out? And then what? He wants to trust they’ll roll with it and be there for him, but he’s been burned before. There’s no way he can go through that again.

So right now he’s willing to accept any help going. Anyone with any suggestions to help with his exam nerves and get his dog brain under control is welcome. No matter how creepy they appear to be.

Then again maybe it’s just his distrust of new doctors making her seem that way. And the advice she’s giving appears to be helping. So maybe… just maybe… things will turn out alright in the end…

393 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 1, 2025

About the author

Ila Golden writes at the intersection of the everyday and the extraordinary. Specializing in character-driven magical realism and slice-of-life fiction, Ila’s work—including The Neva Aton Collection and the What Makes Me series—dives deep into the complexities of identity, trauma, and mental health.

​As a nonbinary, asexual-spectrum author, Ila is committed to authentic diversity. They craft stories where the plot is a byproduct of human (and sometimes monstrous) choices. Whether exploring the horror-tinged world of The Doll Maker’s Son or the contemporary fantasy of Echoe, their writing balances the weight of real-world struggles with the spark of the supernatural.
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Based in a home defined by puzzles and play, Ila shares their life with their partner and two miniature lops, Tempest and Chilchuck. When not writing, they are immersed in escape rooms, walking adventure books, and video games—constantly searching for the next story hidden in the mechanics of life.

If you have enjoyed any of Ila Goldens books please consider leaving a review.

Reviews

[William Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Neva Aton universe continues with another fantastic read in Rowan. Learning more about the character after he was so charming in Toby, meant it was more and more enjoyable to spend time with him. Ila Golden has once again wrapped up a compelling narrative with wonderful well written, likeable characters as the world of Neva Aton expands and grows further. I cannot wait for the next story in the series to see what happens next for all of these wonderful characters from a brand new perspective. Ila has broken my heart all over again with what happens in the story and hope to find out more in the next series what happens to the characters here.

[Kelly Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rowan (What Makes Me, Book 2), by Ila Golden, is a fascinating look at a teenager with species dysphoria who has a loving family, good friends, and a boyfriend. Nevertheless, he falls victim to more than one person who seek to exploit him for their own evil purposes. This is a unique and compelling story skillfully told with compassion and a bit of magical realism by Author Golden!

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked the way Rowan’s story made me think about dysphoria and other issues in ways I’d never considered. Throughout the book, he struggles to complete his school examinations. I liked how supportive his family and friend circle were. This is a hard story to read in places. The strong writing and heartwarming scenes with Rowan’s friends and parents provide a warm counterbalance. I really enjoyed this, and love author Ila Golden’s writing. 5/5 stars.