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One of the Boys
Grace Woodhouse has left a lot behind. She used to have a great friend group, an amazing girlfriend, and a right foot set to earn her a Division I football scholarship—before she came out as trans. As senior year begins, Grace is struggling to find her place in early transition, new social circles, and a life without football. But when her skills as the best kicker in the state prove to be vital, her old teammates beg her to come out of retirement, dragging her back into a sport—into a way of life—she thought had turned its back on her forever. When a chance meeting cracks the door to college football back open, she has to decide how much of herself she's willing to give up for the game she loves.
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First published May 13, 2025
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About the author
Victoria Zeller
1 book66 followersVictoria Zeller is a trans writer born and raised in Buffalo, New York, where she still proudly resides. A former football player and lifelong fan, her initial focus was sports journalism before she made a sharp pivot to writing about queers who can’t stay out of trouble. Her sportswriting can be found at Defector, while her manic minute-by-minute sports analysis can be found at Bluesky at @dirtbagqueer.rocks.
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August 24, 2025Hi, everyone! Given some recent events I felt the need to finally ~claim my author profile~ and make a statement regarding one of the epigraphs featured in One of the Boys.
On advance copies and the first physical printing run of this book, Chapter 1 is preceded by a quote from NFL kicker Justin Tucker that I first discovered years ago, which I found both personally and thematically resonant to this story. In a way, it served as this book's thesis statement, at least to me. Seeing it on the page in my first physical advanced copy meant was a very emotional moment, and I was excited to share the quote with all of you, too.
However, on January 30th, 2025, The Baltimore Banner published a piece alleging Tucker's serial sexual misconduct, with six brave woman coming forward to tell their stories. This news is devastating for a lot of reasons, but first and foremost, my thoughts are with these women and anyone else Tucker may have hurt. My book being affected by this news is secondary to that, and I want that to remain very clear.
I want to state in no uncertain terms that I do not condone or associate myself with Justin Tucker's name or actions. I had no knowledge of any of this when I decided to feature a quote from Tucker in my book, but that doesn't mean I'm not extremely, extremely sorry regardless. The epigraph and all references to Justin Tucker will be removed from the digital version of One of the Boys and in all future printings, but unfortunately, there's nothing I or my publisher can do about the first batch that's gone to print. It's sickening to know that the words of this man will be the first thing some readers will find when they crack this book open on May 13th, but we live in a world where powerful men are still not adequately held to account for their actions.
I'd like to apologize again, and reiterate that I stand with the accusers. Thank you in advance for your understanding.
~ Victoria
On advance copies and the first physical printing run of this book, Chapter 1 is preceded by a quote from NFL kicker Justin Tucker that I first discovered years ago, which I found both personally and thematically resonant to this story. In a way, it served as this book's thesis statement, at least to me. Seeing it on the page in my first physical advanced copy meant was a very emotional moment, and I was excited to share the quote with all of you, too.
However, on January 30th, 2025, The Baltimore Banner published a piece alleging Tucker's serial sexual misconduct, with six brave woman coming forward to tell their stories. This news is devastating for a lot of reasons, but first and foremost, my thoughts are with these women and anyone else Tucker may have hurt. My book being affected by this news is secondary to that, and I want that to remain very clear.
I want to state in no uncertain terms that I do not condone or associate myself with Justin Tucker's name or actions. I had no knowledge of any of this when I decided to feature a quote from Tucker in my book, but that doesn't mean I'm not extremely, extremely sorry regardless. The epigraph and all references to Justin Tucker will be removed from the digital version of One of the Boys and in all future printings, but unfortunately, there's nothing I or my publisher can do about the first batch that's gone to print. It's sickening to know that the words of this man will be the first thing some readers will find when they crack this book open on May 13th, but we live in a world where powerful men are still not adequately held to account for their actions.
I'd like to apologize again, and reiterate that I stand with the accusers. Thank you in advance for your understanding.
~ Victoria
October 1, 2024
There are so many things to love about this book. Grace's focused athleticism, contrasted with her messy, anxious, newly out trans high school experience; her ride or die band of rowdy male friends; the vicious, glorious, honest portrayal of football. Deeply rooted in Buffalo sports culture and simultaneously accessible to anyone who loves rooting for an underdog, One of the Boys is about the things we are willing to sacrifice to do what we love, and the things we must sacrifice to survive.
Full disclosure, the author is my gf of 5 years, but I feel strongly I would’ve fallen for this book even if I had no idea who wrote it lol
Full disclosure, the author is my gf of 5 years, but I feel strongly I would’ve fallen for this book even if I had no idea who wrote it lol
May 18, 2025
The perfect trans YA novel does not exi—
OK, it might be a stretch to call One of the Boys perfect. For one thing, there can be no One True Trans YA Novel because there is no One True Trans Experience, of course. What we need is a plethora of diverse experiences. But I have to say, considering I never played any sports in high school and know nothing about football and transitioned at thirty, somehow Victoria Zeller’s story of a trans girl in high school playing football hit me in a way I wasn’t expecting. Thanks to NetGalley and publisher Levine Querido for the eARC.
Grace Woodhouse has come out as trans over the summer before her senior year of high school. She thought that meant leaving football behind forever—but she was wrong. When her former teammates inveigle her into rejoining the team, Grace must discover if there is still room for her in this hypermasculine sport. At the same time, she’s navigating this whole “being a girl” thing while also processing a breakup and, oh yeah, she might be getting scouted for a college team? But no pressure.
Zeller’s writing just hits. Her style has a satisfying sufficiency to it, neither overly descriptive nor too sparse. And every so often, she says something that really resonated with me:
Chills down my spine as I read those words, which capture the complex emotions a lot of trans people feel no matter what age they transition. Living as your authentic self is its own kind of joy, and I am so immensely happy to have figured out who I am—yet that happiness will always be accompanied by the bittersweet wistfulness of wondering what I could have had if I had realized all of this sooner.
Now, I don’t know if Zeller’s writing will have the same power for cis readers. I can only speak to my experience of this book as a trans woman, of course. I hope it does. I hope cis people read this book and see our struggles, like when Grace’s ex dead names her accidentally in a conversation:
This is the perfect simile, and this moment is a perfect example of the grace (pun intended) we trans people are expected to display in the face of microaggressions like this. And this is an example where the microaggression was accidental—Grace and her ex are on good terms! Yet it happens, and even when you know there is no malice behind it, it’s painful.
All of this happens against the larger backdrop of how Grace’s team, friends, and school handle her transition. One thing I really love? The unremarkable acceptance, for the most part, of Grace and her transness. In the current political climate, it’s tempting to succumb to the idea that everyone is openly hostile to trans people. The reality, which Zeller ably captures here, is that most people … don’t care. They will use your correct name and pronouns and accommodate you even if they don’t quite accept or (as is the case with some of Grace’s teammates, at least at first) don’t understand. The hardcore transphobes are loud and shitty, but they are a minority.
Indeed, although Grace’s transness obviously runs through every page of this book, it isn’t the main source of conflict. That comes from her relationships, as it should. Grace’s return to football, which consumes a lot of her time, strains her newfound female friendships that have been a source of strength and solace. Similarly, Grace’s ambivalence about pursuing a college football career, while connected to the celebrity conveyed by her status as a trans athlete, is ultimately about something much deeper: her relationship to the game.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise to any readers that Zeller is writing this during a time of intense scrutiny of trans people (especially trans women) in sports. (I recently reviewed Fair Play , by Katie Barnes, if you want a primer.) One of the Boys sidesteps some of these issues by Grace playing in a sport that is, while nominally co-ed, effectively a boys sport. If Grace were instead joining Riley on the girls soccer team, that would be a different set of challenges. Nevertheless, she still faces undue scrutiny and notoriety. Yet it all comes down to feelings, or as Grace and her teammates call it, feelingsball.
Everything I know about football comes from my repeated viewings of Remember the Titans. That was a movie, which had swelling music by Trevor Rabin and lots of visual cues to convey tension and get the audience invested in the pivotal games. Zeller has to do that all with words … and, incredibly, she succeeds. I learned more about kicking than I ever knew. More importantly, I actually have a better understanding now of the kind of camaraderie and investment that young men put into football. This belies the stereotypical views I have held about football since long before I realized I wasn’t a man. Yes, Zeller’s depiction showcases the more toxic, overly macho aspects of the game too—but it goes deeper than that. She makes a strong case for why Grace would want to continue playing well into college.
This makes the ending even more poignant. I love the ending of One of the Boys—all of it. Everything, from Grace’s decision about college to her relationship status to some of the developments with minor characters. Zeller avoids trite, contrived resolutions in favour of decisions that make sense for her characters and also show promising maturity. Some of these resolutions are very happy, others feel bittersweet—thus perfectly capturing the tumultuous nature of this time in one’s life. High school graduation marks a time of transition (pun intended) for all of us. We all have to decide what parts of ourself to keep and what parts to leave behind.
This novel is not perfect. I wish we had seen more of Grace’s dad, for example, and how he was advocating for his daughter. The whole kerfuffle around the podcast and the resulting protest action, while very realistic, felt really compressed for time. Yet these are minor quibbles.
I want this book to be a movie so bad.
One of the Boys made me laugh and made me cry. Whether we’re talking sports stories, trans stories, or high school stories, by any measure this novel is excellent and one of the best I have read this year.
Originally posted on Kara.Reviews.
OK, it might be a stretch to call One of the Boys perfect. For one thing, there can be no One True Trans YA Novel because there is no One True Trans Experience, of course. What we need is a plethora of diverse experiences. But I have to say, considering I never played any sports in high school and know nothing about football and transitioned at thirty, somehow Victoria Zeller’s story of a trans girl in high school playing football hit me in a way I wasn’t expecting. Thanks to NetGalley and publisher Levine Querido for the eARC.
Grace Woodhouse has come out as trans over the summer before her senior year of high school. She thought that meant leaving football behind forever—but she was wrong. When her former teammates inveigle her into rejoining the team, Grace must discover if there is still room for her in this hypermasculine sport. At the same time, she’s navigating this whole “being a girl” thing while also processing a breakup and, oh yeah, she might be getting scouted for a college team? But no pressure.
Zeller’s writing just hits. Her style has a satisfying sufficiency to it, neither overly descriptive nor too sparse. And every so often, she says something that really resonated with me:
If things had gone differently—very differently, the way I wish they had in retrospect—I might have been teammates with Riley.
Chills down my spine as I read those words, which capture the complex emotions a lot of trans people feel no matter what age they transition. Living as your authentic self is its own kind of joy, and I am so immensely happy to have figured out who I am—yet that happiness will always be accompanied by the bittersweet wistfulness of wondering what I could have had if I had realized all of this sooner.
Now, I don’t know if Zeller’s writing will have the same power for cis readers. I can only speak to my experience of this book as a trans woman, of course. I hope it does. I hope cis people read this book and see our struggles, like when Grace’s ex dead names her accidentally in a conversation:
“It’s okay,” I said, even though I felt like I’d been punched in the throat.
This is the perfect simile, and this moment is a perfect example of the grace (pun intended) we trans people are expected to display in the face of microaggressions like this. And this is an example where the microaggression was accidental—Grace and her ex are on good terms! Yet it happens, and even when you know there is no malice behind it, it’s painful.
All of this happens against the larger backdrop of how Grace’s team, friends, and school handle her transition. One thing I really love? The unremarkable acceptance, for the most part, of Grace and her transness. In the current political climate, it’s tempting to succumb to the idea that everyone is openly hostile to trans people. The reality, which Zeller ably captures here, is that most people … don’t care. They will use your correct name and pronouns and accommodate you even if they don’t quite accept or (as is the case with some of Grace’s teammates, at least at first) don’t understand. The hardcore transphobes are loud and shitty, but they are a minority.
Indeed, although Grace’s transness obviously runs through every page of this book, it isn’t the main source of conflict. That comes from her relationships, as it should. Grace’s return to football, which consumes a lot of her time, strains her newfound female friendships that have been a source of strength and solace. Similarly, Grace’s ambivalence about pursuing a college football career, while connected to the celebrity conveyed by her status as a trans athlete, is ultimately about something much deeper: her relationship to the game.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise to any readers that Zeller is writing this during a time of intense scrutiny of trans people (especially trans women) in sports. (I recently reviewed Fair Play , by Katie Barnes, if you want a primer.) One of the Boys sidesteps some of these issues by Grace playing in a sport that is, while nominally co-ed, effectively a boys sport. If Grace were instead joining Riley on the girls soccer team, that would be a different set of challenges. Nevertheless, she still faces undue scrutiny and notoriety. Yet it all comes down to feelings, or as Grace and her teammates call it, feelingsball.
Everything I know about football comes from my repeated viewings of Remember the Titans. That was a movie, which had swelling music by Trevor Rabin and lots of visual cues to convey tension and get the audience invested in the pivotal games. Zeller has to do that all with words … and, incredibly, she succeeds. I learned more about kicking than I ever knew. More importantly, I actually have a better understanding now of the kind of camaraderie and investment that young men put into football. This belies the stereotypical views I have held about football since long before I realized I wasn’t a man. Yes, Zeller’s depiction showcases the more toxic, overly macho aspects of the game too—but it goes deeper than that. She makes a strong case for why Grace would want to continue playing well into college.
This makes the ending even more poignant. I love the ending of One of the Boys—all of it. Everything, from Grace’s decision about college to her relationship status to some of the developments with minor characters. Zeller avoids trite, contrived resolutions in favour of decisions that make sense for her characters and also show promising maturity. Some of these resolutions are very happy, others feel bittersweet—thus perfectly capturing the tumultuous nature of this time in one’s life. High school graduation marks a time of transition (pun intended) for all of us. We all have to decide what parts of ourself to keep and what parts to leave behind.
This novel is not perfect. I wish we had seen more of Grace’s dad, for example, and how he was advocating for his daughter. The whole kerfuffle around the podcast and the resulting protest action, while very realistic, felt really compressed for time. Yet these are minor quibbles.
I want this book to be a movie so bad.
One of the Boys made me laugh and made me cry. Whether we’re talking sports stories, trans stories, or high school stories, by any measure this novel is excellent and one of the best I have read this year.
Originally posted on Kara.Reviews.
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July 8, 2025
Dairy Queen meets Like Other Girls.
I adored this.
Grace Woodhouse (almost typed Woodmouse) is a retired trans high school football player. It's been...a rough year. She's given up football to be herself, and then her team comes knocking. They need a kicker, and she's the best in the state. And Grace realizes maybe her football career isn't over.
Ugh this book. What a coming of age delight.
There is a LOT of trigger warnings, from deadnaming to transphobic slurs to some nonconsensual groping to an assault.
BUT it is SO GOOD (the rest of the book, not the trigger warnings). Grace is a girl who is figuring out a whole lot of shit and growing up, and so are her friends. It's a diverse cast. It's got a lot of emotional moments. There are ups, and there are downs, but Grace always has a robust support system. And of course, there's a lot of football involved.
I received an ARC from the publisher
I adored this.
Grace Woodhouse (almost typed Woodmouse) is a retired trans high school football player. It's been...a rough year. She's given up football to be herself, and then her team comes knocking. They need a kicker, and she's the best in the state. And Grace realizes maybe her football career isn't over.
Ugh this book. What a coming of age delight.
There is a LOT of trigger warnings, from deadnaming to transphobic slurs to some nonconsensual groping to an assault.
BUT it is SO GOOD (the rest of the book, not the trigger warnings). Grace is a girl who is figuring out a whole lot of shit and growing up, and so are her friends. It's a diverse cast. It's got a lot of emotional moments. There are ups, and there are downs, but Grace always has a robust support system. And of course, there's a lot of football involved.
I received an ARC from the publisher
March 12, 2025
This was a completely engrossing book about a trans girl in high school rejoining the football team after she transitions. Grace was such an interesting character to follow. The book explores friendship, romance, discrimination, teamwork, and so much more. It also felt like a depiction of a trans girl that I haven’t quite seen before in books.
It was really interesting seeing Grace navigate how to rejoin the team as a girl. She had the support of the captains and an assistant coach, but the head coach and some of the teammates weren't as accepting. There’s a mix of reactions, with some people accidentally being ignorant to purposeful transphobia. The book definitely doesn’t shy away from showing the times that Grace gets deadnamed and misgendered. But while there are hard to read moments, I feel like the book also spends a lot of time emphasizing the people who stick up for Grace and also shows people learning and coming around.
I was just so invested in Grace’s story. While I’m by no means a football fan, I enjoyed seeing the different games throughout the book and how Grace was contributing to the team. I also thought that the storyline about her newer queer friend not understanding why Grace would want to go back to football and that atmosphere she viewed as just toxic masculinity was really interesting. There are a lot of diverse characters throughout the book who bring unique insights to the table and it was fun to see the different parts of Grace’s life intersecting.
One of the Boys was a great read, I didn’t want to put it down. I’d definitely recommend it for people who enjoy YA sports books and queer/trans YA in general. It has a compelling plot, complex characters, and something to say.
Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
It was really interesting seeing Grace navigate how to rejoin the team as a girl. She had the support of the captains and an assistant coach, but the head coach and some of the teammates weren't as accepting. There’s a mix of reactions, with some people accidentally being ignorant to purposeful transphobia. The book definitely doesn’t shy away from showing the times that Grace gets deadnamed and misgendered. But while there are hard to read moments, I feel like the book also spends a lot of time emphasizing the people who stick up for Grace and also shows people learning and coming around.
I was just so invested in Grace’s story. While I’m by no means a football fan, I enjoyed seeing the different games throughout the book and how Grace was contributing to the team. I also thought that the storyline about her newer queer friend not understanding why Grace would want to go back to football and that atmosphere she viewed as just toxic masculinity was really interesting. There are a lot of diverse characters throughout the book who bring unique insights to the table and it was fun to see the different parts of Grace’s life intersecting.
One of the Boys was a great read, I didn’t want to put it down. I’d definitely recommend it for people who enjoy YA sports books and queer/trans YA in general. It has a compelling plot, complex characters, and something to say.
Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
December 2, 2024
I really don't care about football but the author's love and deep knowledge of the sports bleeds into her book.
When Grace, former kicker, comes out as trans she must restructure her last year of high school around changing social groups, reuniting with the sports and finding her place in it without alienating her new queer friend group. Then there's also college, her former girlfriend who may be questioning her sexuality and the reality of teenage transition.
This book deserves a long review for me but it deserves a new spot in the pantheon of trans YA
When Grace, former kicker, comes out as trans she must restructure her last year of high school around changing social groups, reuniting with the sports and finding her place in it without alienating her new queer friend group. Then there's also college, her former girlfriend who may be questioning her sexuality and the reality of teenage transition.
This book deserves a long review for me but it deserves a new spot in the pantheon of trans YA
August 1, 2025
// Preread- I'm not sure about this one as it's about sports and I'm not really into sports and never have been so I know nothing about football. It's a NetGalley ARC, though, so it needs to be read.//
I'm still not sure how I feel, but review to come!
Review:
Three out of five stars 3/5
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. This review is all my own words and opinions and does not reflect the publisher, NetGalley or the author. This is a willing review and one I am not being paid for.
I've left this long enough now. "One of the Boys" by Victoria Zeller is a trans coming of age / romance story about resilience and keeping to your own personal morals while trying to untangle the existential crisis that is the life for a trans girl on an all boys football team.
Victoria is very apt in weaving stories around different personalities, pulling them together in a way that makes them connect even if they're not buddies. I love her use of language, style and humor to fluff up a normally boring (for me anyway) subject. I'm not into sports, they're drier than the driest desert and I honestly never have time for that subject at all, but somehow the author really made everything interesting and if I ever got bored it was for a very short moment before I was pulled right back in and buried right down deep where there was no escape.
I didn't have a character that I truly connected with, though, and that was rather disappointing.
That's why this scored so low for me, I loved her writing and even some of the situations the characters experienced, however, none of them were anything I could relate to. I've always been bullied and never really had a group of friends. I was that guy, I guess.
This book has it's drama and the drama wasn't too surprising or off the deep end in any way, which is good, I found all the situations believable and it was nice to see a different side of things, different people even if I didn't fully connect with anyone. I realize that you don't have to connect to a character to connect with and enjoy a story that is told well.
I'm still not sure if I am going to pick up anymore sports books queer or not. Hopefully J change my mind, but I'm just sad that I didn't enjoy this more and I'll get over it one day.
However, if you are into sports this is the book for you, the characters are lovely and everyone has a place into his story whether it's negative or positive. Give it a go!
I'm still not sure how I feel, but review to come!
Review:
Three out of five stars 3/5
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. This review is all my own words and opinions and does not reflect the publisher, NetGalley or the author. This is a willing review and one I am not being paid for.
I've left this long enough now. "One of the Boys" by Victoria Zeller is a trans coming of age / romance story about resilience and keeping to your own personal morals while trying to untangle the existential crisis that is the life for a trans girl on an all boys football team.
Victoria is very apt in weaving stories around different personalities, pulling them together in a way that makes them connect even if they're not buddies. I love her use of language, style and humor to fluff up a normally boring (for me anyway) subject. I'm not into sports, they're drier than the driest desert and I honestly never have time for that subject at all, but somehow the author really made everything interesting and if I ever got bored it was for a very short moment before I was pulled right back in and buried right down deep where there was no escape.
I didn't have a character that I truly connected with, though, and that was rather disappointing.
That's why this scored so low for me, I loved her writing and even some of the situations the characters experienced, however, none of them were anything I could relate to. I've always been bullied and never really had a group of friends. I was that guy, I guess.
This book has it's drama and the drama wasn't too surprising or off the deep end in any way, which is good, I found all the situations believable and it was nice to see a different side of things, different people even if I didn't fully connect with anyone. I realize that you don't have to connect to a character to connect with and enjoy a story that is told well.
I'm still not sure if I am going to pick up anymore sports books queer or not. Hopefully J change my mind, but I'm just sad that I didn't enjoy this more and I'll get over it one day.
However, if you are into sports this is the book for you, the characters are lovely and everyone has a place into his story whether it's negative or positive. Give it a go!
April 10, 2025
My husband got an arc sent to him and I stole it lmao
Holy shit this was a lot of fun! I’m not the target audience age wise but I had a great time and I’m so glad that people who ARE have a book like this. One, it’s hilarious. I lost counts of the number of times I laughed obnoxiously loud, but it’s also got so much heart, trans kids deserve a book like this. I cannot wait to see what else this author has in store because she’s a hoot.
Holy shit this was a lot of fun! I’m not the target audience age wise but I had a great time and I’m so glad that people who ARE have a book like this. One, it’s hilarious. I lost counts of the number of times I laughed obnoxiously loud, but it’s also got so much heart, trans kids deserve a book like this. I cannot wait to see what else this author has in store because she’s a hoot.
Read
April 16, 2025Given the political climate in America today, I think this is an important read. Trans people exist. Trans people deserve the freedom to live their lives. I liked Grace’s story and seeing the way she grew over the course of the book. I also loved the cast of characters from the football captains to the queer friend group.
Pub Date: May 13th, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Levine Querido for a copy of this eARC.
Pub Date: May 13th, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Levine Querido for a copy of this eARC.
Want to read
September 25, 2024I don't read a lot of YA contemporary, but this sounds fun and interesting.
June 28, 2025
I listened to this on audio in June 2025 and it was just as incredible. Wowwwww!!
****************
Thank you Levine Querido for an advanced digital copy to review!!! (I’d love a physical copy… just putting it out there 🤞🏻)
Grace Woodhouse has left a lot behind. She used to have a great friend group, an amazing girlfriend, and a right foot set to earn her a Division I football scholarship—before she came out as trans. As senior year begins, Grace is struggling to find her place in early transition, new social circles, and a life without football. But when her skills as the best kicker in the state prove to be vital, her old teammates beg her to come out of retirement, dragging her back into a sport—into a way of life—she thought had turned its back on her forever. When a chance meeting cracks the door to college football back open, she has to decide how much of herself she's willing to give up for the game she loves.
^from the publisher!
Absolutely LOVED this book. More trans girl stories!!!! I was immediately engrossed in this story from the first line of the book. I could not get enough of Grace. Don’t you just LOVE teens who are messy and real and have emotions?? Cause I do. This book was literally everything I want in a YA contemporary.
I loved Grace’s journey throughout this book. I loved the flashbacks and how you can see that she changed. Absolutely adored her relationship with her dad and how it grew. The captains!! Obsessed with them. Dray being her biggest supporter?? Closely followed by Ahmed?? Yes. God I love the friend group dynamics SO much. The fierce love between they was too real and I KNEW IT (about Dray) and let’s just say a few lines about him and HIM had my little queer heart squeezing.
I smiled, laughed, got choked up, and felt anger several times. This book had me wanting more and more. I cannot WAIT to read more from this author. Incredible debut.
****************
Thank you Levine Querido for an advanced digital copy to review!!! (I’d love a physical copy… just putting it out there 🤞🏻)
Grace Woodhouse has left a lot behind. She used to have a great friend group, an amazing girlfriend, and a right foot set to earn her a Division I football scholarship—before she came out as trans. As senior year begins, Grace is struggling to find her place in early transition, new social circles, and a life without football. But when her skills as the best kicker in the state prove to be vital, her old teammates beg her to come out of retirement, dragging her back into a sport—into a way of life—she thought had turned its back on her forever. When a chance meeting cracks the door to college football back open, she has to decide how much of herself she's willing to give up for the game she loves.
^from the publisher!
Absolutely LOVED this book. More trans girl stories!!!! I was immediately engrossed in this story from the first line of the book. I could not get enough of Grace. Don’t you just LOVE teens who are messy and real and have emotions?? Cause I do. This book was literally everything I want in a YA contemporary.
I loved Grace’s journey throughout this book. I loved the flashbacks and how you can see that she changed. Absolutely adored her relationship with her dad and how it grew. The captains!! Obsessed with them. Dray being her biggest supporter?? Closely followed by Ahmed?? Yes. God I love the friend group dynamics SO much. The fierce love between they was too real and I KNEW IT (about Dray) and let’s just say a few lines about him and HIM had my little queer heart squeezing.
I smiled, laughed, got choked up, and felt anger several times. This book had me wanting more and more. I cannot WAIT to read more from this author. Incredible debut.
October 1, 2024
one of my favorite YA novels growing up was "catching jordan" about a cis girl that was her high school's quarterback. it's textually straight, but like c'mon. the queerness of girls in sports or sports in general fascinated me. and as a grown-up, this book reminded me of coveting that book. but it's obviously it's own thing and it totally rips.
it's all wonderful: the voice, the characters, the themes, the ball. i think a lot about world-building in contemporary novels, because i'm often missing it. the characters, the plot can be there but the world is so hand-wavey it undermines the success of everything else. the character's world is filled with things without texture and specificity. this is the total opposite; the setting and the world felt as alive as the main character, grace. i loved her doofy football friends, i loved her gay friends, loved her dad, and of course her, struggling to digest this huge transition in her life. there's a climatic question that i found so profound at the center of this novel, i'll be sitting with, about difference, and assimilation and authenticity.
i'm not a football girl (yet) and i loved this!
big year for queer books, sport books, queers in sports books!
it's all wonderful: the voice, the characters, the themes, the ball. i think a lot about world-building in contemporary novels, because i'm often missing it. the characters, the plot can be there but the world is so hand-wavey it undermines the success of everything else. the character's world is filled with things without texture and specificity. this is the total opposite; the setting and the world felt as alive as the main character, grace. i loved her doofy football friends, i loved her gay friends, loved her dad, and of course her, struggling to digest this huge transition in her life. there's a climatic question that i found so profound at the center of this novel, i'll be sitting with, about difference, and assimilation and authenticity.
i'm not a football girl (yet) and i loved this!
big year for queer books, sport books, queers in sports books!
July 9, 2025
LOVED LOVED LOVED which I don't usually say about YA, but this one felt appropriately cheesy in some elements and very real in others. Character writing was on point, with everyone being complex and messy to different degrees. The main character struggles with not wanting to have attention drawn to her and her transness, yet also feeling weird when people don't acknowledge it. Drama is sometimes about being trans, sometimes not, and sometimes hard to tell. Really liked the immersion of the world - even on parts that were not necessarily tear-jerking, I'd get emotional because I could really see how the characters were feeling. Perfectly captures an extra messy and beautiful time in life
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July 16, 2025Lovely! I really appreciated the way that this took my single biggest complaint in the early going -- the absolutely enormous number of characters -- and turned it into a strength in the end. I appreciate any book that goes out of its way to put the climax in the place you'd least expect it, and that's what One of the Boys does.
Also, I would die for Tab.
Also, I would die for Tab.
April 11, 2025
Advanced reader's copy review
This book did three things I never thought possible: it made me care about football, made me nostalgic for high school, and made me truly enjoy second person. For starters, I loved Grace so much. She felt so real to me, with her conflicting hopes and dreams and her youthful mistakes. I saw so much of myself in her as a genderqueer kid, and all I wanted was to give her a big hug. I also loved her friends and how wholesome their friendships were. Especially the football captains. They were so supportive and funny and sweet. Lastly, I loved her dad. He loves Grace so much and is doing his very best, even if he isn’t always there. As for the storyline, this book is Grace’s coming of age, and it was so spectacularly well done. I loved the use of second person versus first person to differentiate past and present. And I loved Grace’s journey figuring out how she wants to be perceived, in football and in life. I thought the ending was perfect, showing her starting a new path with many possibilities. So overall, this was one of the easiest five stars I have ever given out.
Thank you Levine Querido and Netgalley for the free advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
This book did three things I never thought possible: it made me care about football, made me nostalgic for high school, and made me truly enjoy second person. For starters, I loved Grace so much. She felt so real to me, with her conflicting hopes and dreams and her youthful mistakes. I saw so much of myself in her as a genderqueer kid, and all I wanted was to give her a big hug. I also loved her friends and how wholesome their friendships were. Especially the football captains. They were so supportive and funny and sweet. Lastly, I loved her dad. He loves Grace so much and is doing his very best, even if he isn’t always there. As for the storyline, this book is Grace’s coming of age, and it was so spectacularly well done. I loved the use of second person versus first person to differentiate past and present. And I loved Grace’s journey figuring out how she wants to be perceived, in football and in life. I thought the ending was perfect, showing her starting a new path with many possibilities. So overall, this was one of the easiest five stars I have ever given out.
Thank you Levine Querido and Netgalley for the free advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
July 17, 2025
4.5/5 - Grace returns to her high school football team just a few months after transitioning.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a powerful, honest portrayal of a trans girl's high school experience.
The story is raw and deeply engaging, capturing both the beauty of Grace stepping into her identity and the painful realities she faces along the way. It doesn't flinch from the discrimination and transphobia that come with her journey, but it also highlights her resilience, strength, and the moments of joy and new friendships that make it all so compelling.
This is a vital, moving story about becoming yourself even when the world tries to stand in the way.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a powerful, honest portrayal of a trans girl's high school experience.
The story is raw and deeply engaging, capturing both the beauty of Grace stepping into her identity and the painful realities she faces along the way. It doesn't flinch from the discrimination and transphobia that come with her journey, but it also highlights her resilience, strength, and the moments of joy and new friendships that make it all so compelling.
This is a vital, moving story about becoming yourself even when the world tries to stand in the way.
October 25, 2025
"Nothing about this would ever be easy, because I wasn't delicate, or sweet, or pretty, or whatever. I was just Me, and that would have to be enough."
Pleasantly surprised with this book, a wonderful and raw look at what it's like being a trans athlete in high school. I loved reading about Grace's experience being trans as a person who experiences gender dysphoria myself. It felt real and raw and made me tear up several times. I could also really feel the passion of what it feels like to be on a team - I was never an athlete myself, but the fighting for each other and friendships forged really made me feel connected.
The cast of side characters were lovely - a diverse mix of kids who really come together to stand up for what they believe in - Grace, and her right to play football.
I found the football scenes a little confusing for someone who doesn't know the sport, but thankfully you don't really need to fully visualize the football scenes to understand the book. I do think it would have enhanced my experience more if I could really understand them, though, so just something to keep in mind.
A fantastic book for fans of football and sports, kids who feel like they don't belong, gender queer people, or people that just want to learn something. One of the best representations of trans focused media I have ever seen!
Thank you to Netgalley for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
"I guess that was football, too: something beautiful, something violent."
Pleasantly surprised with this book, a wonderful and raw look at what it's like being a trans athlete in high school. I loved reading about Grace's experience being trans as a person who experiences gender dysphoria myself. It felt real and raw and made me tear up several times. I could also really feel the passion of what it feels like to be on a team - I was never an athlete myself, but the fighting for each other and friendships forged really made me feel connected.
The cast of side characters were lovely - a diverse mix of kids who really come together to stand up for what they believe in - Grace, and her right to play football.
I found the football scenes a little confusing for someone who doesn't know the sport, but thankfully you don't really need to fully visualize the football scenes to understand the book. I do think it would have enhanced my experience more if I could really understand them, though, so just something to keep in mind.
A fantastic book for fans of football and sports, kids who feel like they don't belong, gender queer people, or people that just want to learn something. One of the best representations of trans focused media I have ever seen!
Thank you to Netgalley for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
"I guess that was football, too: something beautiful, something violent."
November 16, 2024
I received an advance copy from the publisher via Netgalley for review purposes; this in no way influences my review.
As soon as I heard about this book, I knew I wanted to read it. I am not a sports person, but I just knew this would be so good - and it did not disappoint! One of the Boys is such a great story of friendship, community, high school, and, yes, transmisogyny in sports and in general. Even as this deals with heavy topics, this overall felt like a light read because it’s so full of love and community and support. It kept making me emotional in the best ways, and I love Grace and her story. I also really liked the way past scenes were recounted in second person, almost like it was a way for Grace to step away from who she was Before. This really is such a warm hug in so many ways, especially the friendships Grace has with her fellow football players, who have her back in the biggest ways. I found it hard to put down, because I couldn’t let go of Grace. The ending was so satisfying and overall I had a lot of fun with this book. I cannot wait to see what Victoria Zeller will write next!
As soon as I heard about this book, I knew I wanted to read it. I am not a sports person, but I just knew this would be so good - and it did not disappoint! One of the Boys is such a great story of friendship, community, high school, and, yes, transmisogyny in sports and in general. Even as this deals with heavy topics, this overall felt like a light read because it’s so full of love and community and support. It kept making me emotional in the best ways, and I love Grace and her story. I also really liked the way past scenes were recounted in second person, almost like it was a way for Grace to step away from who she was Before. This really is such a warm hug in so many ways, especially the friendships Grace has with her fellow football players, who have her back in the biggest ways. I found it hard to put down, because I couldn’t let go of Grace. The ending was so satisfying and overall I had a lot of fun with this book. I cannot wait to see what Victoria Zeller will write next!
June 6, 2025
I really enjoyed this! It was very engaging right from the beginning. Really well done for a debut especially and expertly narrated by Jen Richards, Victoria Zeller's voice worked for me all the way through. I look forward to whatever she puts out next.
To be honest, I rarely pick up YA stories that are not also romances but I'm so glad I got to read this one. And it's one of those sportsy books that makes me care about the game (even when I know literally nothing about the game) and feels written in a way that feels accurate.
The story has just the right balance of hope and challenges that make it feel real. Grace is figuring things out - she makes mistakes, she has some struggles - but you always feel that she is going to be okay in the end. Grace's friends and other supporters are wonderful and charming (if sometimes flawed). And all of that makes it easier to stomach the transphobes that make the story sadly authentic.
Bonus for the Buffalo-adjacent setting - an area I've visited many times and thus felt familiar.
I received an audio Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley and RBmedia in exchange for an honest review.
To be honest, I rarely pick up YA stories that are not also romances but I'm so glad I got to read this one. And it's one of those sportsy books that makes me care about the game (even when I know literally nothing about the game) and feels written in a way that feels accurate.
The story has just the right balance of hope and challenges that make it feel real. Grace is figuring things out - she makes mistakes, she has some struggles - but you always feel that she is going to be okay in the end. Grace's friends and other supporters are wonderful and charming (if sometimes flawed). And all of that makes it easier to stomach the transphobes that make the story sadly authentic.
Bonus for the Buffalo-adjacent setting - an area I've visited many times and thus felt familiar.
I received an audio Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley and RBmedia in exchange for an honest review.
June 16, 2025
One of the Boys succinctly taps into feelings I've had as a trans woman with a football background, even as it can stand as wish fulfillment fiction. Some of the feelings I can't shake after pushing through Zeller's debut novel in a weekend
-The pain of being a woman, but never being able to be a girl
-The agonizing emotional process of having to fully, truly give up football when you aren't ready to
-The euphoria of being seen as a woman, being treated as one by loved ones, being loved not in spite of being a trans woman, but in part because of it
-How universal disphoria is among trans people even though it hits in different ways
-The true, complicated beauty of football. To honestly and fully love football is to recognize its failures, its faults, its dangers, and finding beauty between despite the problems. There's so much joy in the camaraderie of football, and One of the Boys lands it
There are harsh limitations in teen fiction, but it is rare for such a precise queer experience to intersect with such a precise sport experience. It's as though the book was made in a lab for me to enjoy.
-The pain of being a woman, but never being able to be a girl
-The agonizing emotional process of having to fully, truly give up football when you aren't ready to
-The euphoria of being seen as a woman, being treated as one by loved ones, being loved not in spite of being a trans woman, but in part because of it
-How universal disphoria is among trans people even though it hits in different ways
-The true, complicated beauty of football. To honestly and fully love football is to recognize its failures, its faults, its dangers, and finding beauty between despite the problems. There's so much joy in the camaraderie of football, and One of the Boys lands it
There are harsh limitations in teen fiction, but it is rare for such a precise queer experience to intersect with such a precise sport experience. It's as though the book was made in a lab for me to enjoy.
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April 30, 2025Am I in my sports era? 🤔 Maybe I'm just really into gay •feelingsball• 🥲
ONE OF THE BOYS was excellent & I am happy to report you can still enjoy it despite knowing zilch about football (like me). Pick this one up when it comes out May 13 if you want to read about:
🏈 a teen early into her transition
🏈 high school football dynamics
🏈 really nuanced friend groups
🏈 a variety of queers
🏈 unsupportive peeps + REALLY supportive ones
🏈 existence as activism
🏈 complicated romance (?) 👀
This one is very likely to get either banned or "soft banned" at schools, so do Victoria (a debut author, y'all) a solid and pre-order this one / ask your public library to purchase it 🫶🏼.
ONE OF THE BOYS was excellent & I am happy to report you can still enjoy it despite knowing zilch about football (like me). Pick this one up when it comes out May 13 if you want to read about:
🏈 a teen early into her transition
🏈 high school football dynamics
🏈 really nuanced friend groups
🏈 a variety of queers
🏈 unsupportive peeps + REALLY supportive ones
🏈 existence as activism
🏈 complicated romance (?) 👀
This one is very likely to get either banned or "soft banned" at schools, so do Victoria (a debut author, y'all) a solid and pre-order this one / ask your public library to purchase it 🫶🏼.
October 13, 2025
This was such a perfect YA book!! Grace, a newly out trans girl, is still finding her footing when her old football teammates convince her to come back as a kicker for their senior season. Grace is trying to navigate new friendships while keeping the old, figuring out if there's still a place for her in the hypermasculine culture of football, processing a breakup, and deciding if she wants to keep playing football after high school. I love a queer sports book, and there was something especially lovely about this one, as we hardly ever get to see trans women playing sports in media--especially not a male-centric sport like football. I was obsessed with Grace's guy friends from the football team (they healed me) and loved seeing her interact with other queer kids after spending so long distancing herself from that. I also LOVED all of the sports. You can tell Zeller loves the game of football, and the way she writes so many of these scenes on the field feels so authentic and engaging, even if you don't know much about the game.
I think what ultimately made this book sing for me was the ending. So many YA books, no matter what journey we go on with the characters, seem to have a fairy-tale ending where everything just magically works out for everyone with no complicated feelings. The epilogue of this book felt so authentic to the real, bittersweet ends and beginnings that come with high school graduation. That ending, alongside all of the amazing characters, made this a standout book for me.
I think what ultimately made this book sing for me was the ending. So many YA books, no matter what journey we go on with the characters, seem to have a fairy-tale ending where everything just magically works out for everyone with no complicated feelings. The epilogue of this book felt so authentic to the real, bittersweet ends and beginnings that come with high school graduation. That ending, alongside all of the amazing characters, made this a standout book for me.
May 27, 2025
"There's always another September waiting for you on the other side."
I don’t know anything about football. Well, that’s not true. The little I know of (American) football is what I accidentally learned while waiting for the cameras to find its way back to Taylor Swift’s box at the Super bowl. And even though I’m not the biggest fan, I am Brazilian, so I know plenty about regular football (or as North Americans like to call it, “soccer”), so what I’m trying to say is: I Get sports. But most of all, one thing I know a lot about, like, first hand experience, very well, is being queer. And boy does this book Get queerness.
Grace Woodhouse is a former (really good) kicker for her high school’s football team, who ends up being convinced by her teammates to join back in because none of the other boys can kick a ball to save their own lives. Grace Woodhouse is also a former boyfriend to clever, straight and beautiful Zoe Ferragamo, who is suddenly cutting her hair and texting and driving around with Grace late at night.
When something life-changing happens, there’s this slicing of your timeline that you can feel in your head, like a pair of scissors on a rope, that divides you into a Before and an After. You’ll inevitably feel the impulse to try and make it so everything feels as Before as possible, because you know how to deal with Before, Before was comfortable, manageable. After is unclear, it’s a question mark, it’s an abyss, and it’s in front of you even if you won’t acknowledge it, and it’s real fucking scary, but you gotta let go, jump in, because, god, it can be real fucking beautiful on the other side.
So, yeah. If you’re reading this, read the book. There’s Before OOTB and there’s After.
Thank you, Victoria Zeller, for pouring your heart into this story. Thank you Levine Querido for publishing it, and thank you Netgalley for letting me read it.
Let’s go queer stories and queer joy and queer authors!!!
I don’t know anything about football. Well, that’s not true. The little I know of (American) football is what I accidentally learned while waiting for the cameras to find its way back to Taylor Swift’s box at the Super bowl. And even though I’m not the biggest fan, I am Brazilian, so I know plenty about regular football (or as North Americans like to call it, “soccer”), so what I’m trying to say is: I Get sports. But most of all, one thing I know a lot about, like, first hand experience, very well, is being queer. And boy does this book Get queerness.
Grace Woodhouse is a former (really good) kicker for her high school’s football team, who ends up being convinced by her teammates to join back in because none of the other boys can kick a ball to save their own lives. Grace Woodhouse is also a former boyfriend to clever, straight and beautiful Zoe Ferragamo, who is suddenly cutting her hair and texting and driving around with Grace late at night.
When something life-changing happens, there’s this slicing of your timeline that you can feel in your head, like a pair of scissors on a rope, that divides you into a Before and an After. You’ll inevitably feel the impulse to try and make it so everything feels as Before as possible, because you know how to deal with Before, Before was comfortable, manageable. After is unclear, it’s a question mark, it’s an abyss, and it’s in front of you even if you won’t acknowledge it, and it’s real fucking scary, but you gotta let go, jump in, because, god, it can be real fucking beautiful on the other side.
So, yeah. If you’re reading this, read the book. There’s Before OOTB and there’s After.
Thank you, Victoria Zeller, for pouring your heart into this story. Thank you Levine Querido for publishing it, and thank you Netgalley for letting me read it.
Let’s go queer stories and queer joy and queer authors!!!
December 27, 2025
*3.75*
when the popular jock boy breaks up with his girlfriend, quits football and comes out as a lesbian transgender woman. she decides to continue with her football journey, being thrown into the spotlight as a trans athlete when all she wants to do is be herself, help her team win and do her passion.
I think this spoke about some really important issues such as: trans misogyny, transphobia, the moral panic around trans women in sports, body and gender dysphoria and much more.
my fav thing about this book was that for the most part, the main character is widely supported and loved. her dad accepted her, her friends supported her, the school rallied behind her after some bad publicity (yes there were still acts of transphobia throughout but it was rare.) it made me happy to read a story about a trans woman that was, for the most part, positive. we see so much trans agony, trans violence- I like having stories about trans joy. about a trans woman dyeing her hair pink and loving it, the first time a straight guy flirts with her, the first time someone calls them beautiful rather than handsome.
it was very YA but I enjoyed the story and progression, I think it had a really lighthearted and hopeful vibe (pls do check TWs though because there were instances of slurs, transphobia and trans violence- it just wasn’t the majority of the book)
when the popular jock boy breaks up with his girlfriend, quits football and comes out as a lesbian transgender woman. she decides to continue with her football journey, being thrown into the spotlight as a trans athlete when all she wants to do is be herself, help her team win and do her passion.
I think this spoke about some really important issues such as: trans misogyny, transphobia, the moral panic around trans women in sports, body and gender dysphoria and much more.
my fav thing about this book was that for the most part, the main character is widely supported and loved. her dad accepted her, her friends supported her, the school rallied behind her after some bad publicity (yes there were still acts of transphobia throughout but it was rare.) it made me happy to read a story about a trans woman that was, for the most part, positive. we see so much trans agony, trans violence- I like having stories about trans joy. about a trans woman dyeing her hair pink and loving it, the first time a straight guy flirts with her, the first time someone calls them beautiful rather than handsome.
it was very YA but I enjoyed the story and progression, I think it had a really lighthearted and hopeful vibe (pls do check TWs though because there were instances of slurs, transphobia and trans violence- it just wasn’t the majority of the book)
March 28, 2025
As I told my friend Mackenzie while reading this: I can't believe I enjoyed a football book this much. But to be honest this was an absolute delight, I loved Grace and I loved all her friends, both on the football team and not. I just had a wonderful time reading this, and as there's such a dearth of transfemme representation in YA books, I'm so glad I can recommend this one wholeheartedly.
July 2, 2025
3.25⭐️
Very cute! The flashback chapters being in second person was really interesting!
Very cute! The flashback chapters being in second person was really interesting!
January 1, 2026
Squeezed this one in right at the deadline! Excellent book that really captures high school sports and high school in general.
February 19, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-arc. I'd like to start by saying, to me, football is one of the most boring sports ever. I know that is a controversial statement to many but I don't think I've even been able to force myself to watch a whole game, and I've been at Super Bowl parties. Anyway, since this novel is full of football I wasn't sure if it would take away from the story. I'm happy to say it didn't. It didn't make me want to run to my TV and watch a game but I have a tiny bit more knowledge and a deeper respect for what the players go through now. Moving on....this was a great story with lots of emotion, introspection, diversity rep, 'teammates are everything' mentality, and a look at what it would be like to be the first transgender woman playing football in college. As a cis woman with a trans daughter I really empathized with Grace's decision to go back to the football team and try to blend in. She goes through a lot of crap that seemed very realistic to the situation. I enjoyed all the different genders, race, sexual identities and questioning going on among Grace's friends. There were a lot of side characters and with all the nicknames, real names and last names sometimes I'd get them confused. I also had no idea what was happening with all the game talk but me not caring about sportsball. I thought the ending was well done and respected the author's choice. A great young adult LGBTQ sports story that should appeal to many people. 4.5 stars.
November 18, 2024
3.5
Thank you NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
One of the Boys is a book about sport, friendship, daily life as a teenager but is also a book about queerness and more specifically about being a trans women in high school.
Grace is a 17-years-old girl who came out as trans during summer and now she must esperience high school being her true self. She resigned her previous life as a football player and she broke up with her girlfriend, but giving up on what and who she loves was the right choice?
I really appreciated the narration switching between present and the past, before the transition, it really made it easy to understand what the main character felt like while dealing with her gender dysphoria and is also a way to learn what happened before the story started.
Even though the football scenes are very long, detailed and maybe too much recurring I very much enjoyed the found family built between the teammates and how the majority of them accepted Grace and respected her, especially coming from an environment that’s usually filled with hate and prejudices.
There are no content warnings at the beginning of the book so I prefer to clarify, if this kind of content triggers you, that there are transphobic and omophobic episodes in this story but they’re part of the plot and depicts how much real life can be hard and unfair for queer people.
Thank you NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
One of the Boys is a book about sport, friendship, daily life as a teenager but is also a book about queerness and more specifically about being a trans women in high school.
Grace is a 17-years-old girl who came out as trans during summer and now she must esperience high school being her true self. She resigned her previous life as a football player and she broke up with her girlfriend, but giving up on what and who she loves was the right choice?
I really appreciated the narration switching between present and the past, before the transition, it really made it easy to understand what the main character felt like while dealing with her gender dysphoria and is also a way to learn what happened before the story started.
Even though the football scenes are very long, detailed and maybe too much recurring I very much enjoyed the found family built between the teammates and how the majority of them accepted Grace and respected her, especially coming from an environment that’s usually filled with hate and prejudices.
There are no content warnings at the beginning of the book so I prefer to clarify, if this kind of content triggers you, that there are transphobic and omophobic episodes in this story but they’re part of the plot and depicts how much real life can be hard and unfair for queer people.
January 27, 2025
The first thing that drew me to One of the Boys was its beautifully designed cover—an eye-catching introduction to a story that delivers both heart and substance.
This YA novel follows Grace, who has recently come out as trans and stepped away from her school’s football team. However, she’s convinced to rejoin, setting off a journey of self-discovery as she navigates her role in different social circles and works to figure out her future path.
The story alternates between Grace’s current experiences and flashbacks to her life before coming out. Through this structure, Zeller sheds light on the challenges faced by trans athletes, particularly in today’s sports world. The narrative brings these struggles to a personal level, allowing readers to connect with Grace’s emotions and the obstacles she faces.
While the book leans on familiar tropes of the YA genre, they are well-executed and serve to create a relatable, engaging reading experience. It may not aim to surprise, but its predictability doesn’t detract from its charm. Instead, it delivers an important message in an accessible way.
One of the Boys is an enjoyable and meaningful read, combining a heartfelt story with a timely exploration of identity, acceptance, and resilience.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
This YA novel follows Grace, who has recently come out as trans and stepped away from her school’s football team. However, she’s convinced to rejoin, setting off a journey of self-discovery as she navigates her role in different social circles and works to figure out her future path.
The story alternates between Grace’s current experiences and flashbacks to her life before coming out. Through this structure, Zeller sheds light on the challenges faced by trans athletes, particularly in today’s sports world. The narrative brings these struggles to a personal level, allowing readers to connect with Grace’s emotions and the obstacles she faces.
While the book leans on familiar tropes of the YA genre, they are well-executed and serve to create a relatable, engaging reading experience. It may not aim to surprise, but its predictability doesn’t detract from its charm. Instead, it delivers an important message in an accessible way.
One of the Boys is an enjoyable and meaningful read, combining a heartfelt story with a timely exploration of identity, acceptance, and resilience.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
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