Jay's Guide to Crushing It

by Ruby Clyde

A hilarious and heartfelt novel for fans of Heartstopper.

It isn't easy working out who you like when you're still working out who you are. Jay—sorry, Jennifer—and her family move to a new town for a fresh start, after bullying at her last school went too far. Jennifer's mum insists that she do things differently, so gone are her jeans, T-shirts, skateboard and short hair. Jennifer wants to keep her mum happy, so she follows Mum's plan to start looking and acting like a girl. But it soon starts to wear on Jennifer, and she starts leading a double life, dressing in her brother's clothes to sneak out to go skateboarding in the local park. That's where Jennifer feels most like herself, where she can be Jay again. But then Jay gets tangled up in a crush with Alex, a closeted boy at the skate park who thinks Jay is a boy. But is her friend Mina flirting with Jay ... as a girl? Can Jay keep their different worlds from colliding?

A romantic comedy that shows listeners that sometimes the basics can be quite complicated!

Genres: LGBT, Queer, Young Adult, Coming Of Age, Contemporary

Audible Audio

Published December 14, 2023

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book heard I was in a seemingly never-ending reading slump and very valiantly marched into my life, yanked me out by the ankles and put a smile on my face. It’s heartfelt and ultimately joyous and genuinely funny and spoke right to the daydreaming, anxious kid I was (and - let’s be real - remain to be). The kid that, for reference, got pulled aside at school to be told that while the teachers very much enjoyed my sense of humour, it was “beyond my years” and “confusing to the other children”. Weird. I thought all people spent their lives worrying and Committing To The Bit. Jay certainly does. The results of their Choices™️ are often equally hilarious and calamitous and this all earned them a big place in my heart.

This is a story of personal discovery and acceptance and being brave enough to move on from things that hurt. About learning to be more yourself while you do it, and appreciating the people and actions that affirm you in the process. All this and more, with skateboarding thrown in for good measure!

There’s a whole host of characters here to love but chief among them for me are Jamie and Mina, Jay’s wonderful brother and their precious best friend (for whom their feelings are strictly platonic!!!) respectively. There’s school drama and dances and dating, family troubles and identity struggles and difficult teachers. If there’s a Hearstopper-shaped hole in your life, I’d definitely recommend checking this one out!

I really loved this debut and can only hope there’s much more on the way from this author!

[H Noss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another book I would have loved and that I needed when I was growing up. Jay is an amazing protagonist and all the queer rep you could ask for is here: Jay isn't explicitly non-binary or trans, which I think adds to the story because so many people can feel represented by Jay's experiences.

Mina is an amazing character, the dialogue is fantastic, and the Alex plot thankfully did not go the way I was dreading.

[Anya Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great YA for younger readers exploring gender, family, and growing up, all in a funny and relatable way. Also, there's a queer love triangle, so that's a bonus...

[andshe.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the stars!!! I devoured this in one sitting, and honestly, I wish for a sequel. I'm a sucker for a queer rom-com, and this had that and so much more.

The author nailed it with the queer representations, and I totally appreciated the portrayal of the stigma of what its like being queer or dressing differently or even looking different. It's all real!! That is definitely something I took from this book.. this stuff does actually happen, parents can be blindsided through their love and their need to protect, and there are misguided people in the world who only wish to bully others. But on the flipside, there are so many more allies!! So many more people who love and accept for who you are, this book definitely shows that!!

I adored the characters, even Dani! Heck, the book wouldn't have been right without a character like her in it. However, of course, my favourite was Jay!! Her brother is also totally amazing, and isn't that all we would look for in a sibling.

Enough rambling... go get the book, it was fantastic!!!!

Huge thank you to Pride Book Tours for my spot on the tour. Thank you also for a copy of the book.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this up at the library yesterday morning and I've just finished it - I absolutely loved it! I'll be honest, I was slightly hoping Jay was gonna turn out to be a trans guy but I actually really enjoyed the not-putting-things-in-boxes-ness in the end. I loved the relationship between Jay and Jamie, and I genuinely couldn't tell which way things were going at points. 100% would recommend!

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

*4.25 out of 5 Stars

I rarely pick up new releases when they're still 'new' releases but I stumbled upon the audiobook for this one on Storytel yesterday and it released about 6 months ago, I haven't seen it on bookstagram yet and I just dove in!

And it was so good! I got some Mean Girl vibes, a bit of Heartstopper vibes and even some Love, Simon vibes.

Jay has just moved to a new city with her mother and brother, and has promised to try to fit in at the new school. That means being called 'Jennifer', growing her hair out, quitting skateboarding and wearing The Skirt - basically becoming someone else, someone her mother desperately wants her to be so she'll be safe and happy but she's not.
All it does is make Jay start leading a secret double life: sneaking out early mornings, dressed up like a boy in her brother's clothes, to spend some time doing what she loves. At the park, she meets Alex, another skateboarder who maybe likes Jay as a boy. And at school, Mina, Jay's 'Buddy' becomes her friend and maybe likes Jay as a girl. But how is Jay supposed to know who to crush on when she's unsure of who she is?

The struggle and confusion of not knowing who you are when you're being told who you're supposed to be was kind of painful to watch. I was quite outraged and angry on Jay's behalf for most of the story. My favourite character was her brother, Jamie - just a year older but close like a twin - he always looks out for Jay, wanting the best for her, wanting to protect her but not clip her wings and happiness. He's amazing and I'm glad Jay had him and a couple other cool people in their corner!

This is a very well-written and heartwarming story, and so important for anyone who is or might be queer or might be struggling with their identity as well as sexuality and wanting to fit in but at what cost..?
This was such a quick listen and so informative, and I wish I had the physical copy to annotate the uplifting quotes.

[Amy Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I binge read this so quickly because it was so me. It was hillarious and hard hitting and I felt like ceying throughout out it (for good, not bad). I've always felt like a blend of not being a girl and not being a boy. A mirage of both and none of them. When Jay is forced into dresses and The Skirt I remember the amounts of occassion that ive been forced into dresses.

I was bullied chronically from primary all the way to sixth form, from the way that I dress and the sexuality that may be linked to it. I wasnt out as queer, hiding under layers of depression and self hatred.
But after coming out (in certain circles), as not straight, pan, ace, gender fluid I have been able to dress more like me. But when you live with your parents, are influenced and instructed to live in certain ways you want to burst. I wait for the day that i could yell at my mum (probably not in a car park) to tell her I wear dresses for work purely because when your in pain (I have fibromyalgia) you want to wear leggings. Really, i want to wear a suit, with a waist coast and a bow tie. My haircut or makeup does not make me more of a certain gender.
Ruby Clyde, you dont know a person of 24 needed this book when growing up. Thank you that my nephew and godchildren have this so if they need it, it is there- if pnly to understand lives of other people.

[Duckfacekim09 (Kim Howell) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh I loved this SO much!! This book has everything I want from a young adult novel; it's queer and fun but also deep. And the best part? Our main character didn't have everything figured out in the end! And if that isn't the most realistic depiction of a fourteen year old, or hell, even someone in their seventies, then I don't know what is.

I loved every single one of the characters, from Jay our heart-throb main character to Dani and her witty insults. I loved every topic this book covered and the very real responses to those topics. I also loved the choices every character had to make and the messages within these pages; every young person needs to read this book and every adult too.

A cracking debut from Ruby and I cannot wait to read many more.

[Claire Cobb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. It's such a comfort read. I liked the messages in this book, with a parent not knowing how they're making their child feel in regards to how the child wants to dress and how the parent wants them to dress etc & how that child feels like they are going to be themselves regardless of anyone's opinion. I loved Jay, I felt sympathy for them and just wished they could be happy with who they are instead of being afraid of others bullying them. Jamie was awesome, everyone needs a brother like him, I liked Mina she was such a great buddy for Jay to be paired with. Honestly, it's such a great read.

[Max Boston · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book!! The ending felt slightly rushed for me I just wanted more!! I wish there was more time for the resolution because the build up to the conflict was huge and then we got a couple chapters to wrap everything up. Jay holds a special place in my heart the dynamic with Jays mum was very close to home and I got goose bumps at some points. Wish I could give this 5 stars 🫶🏻

[Paris Whitehouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how Jay still did not have a 'decided gender' by the end of the book, because you know what, you do not have to have everything figured out by your early teens!!! Identity is an exploration, a journey, and it can absolutely be fluid!!! The end, thank you. xx

(p.s. more queer-friendly books for young teens please)

[Ramya · Rating 5 out of 5]

14 year old Jennifer would rather be called Jay. And rather than a skirt, she'd prefer to dress like her brother. And then there's that skateboard her mum gave away...
I loved being in Jay's mind - anxious, hilarious, imaginative and relatable, I could hang out in Jay's mind for many more chapters. This is a warm, well-written book, with brilliantly crafted characters. Really enjoyed reading it.

[Luca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Damn, that hit way too close to home.

[Kai Forbes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute teen book

[November · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was much better than I'd thought. I am a little too old for the sweet, slightly cringy, queer coming-of-age YA genre that this book is part of but I bought it nonetheless. I picked it up and put it back two or three times before giving in. I then sat down in a park and read half of it in one go.
Jay is a tomboy who loves skateboarding. Her mother does not approve and when they move house Jay decides she's going to try and do things her mother's way. She is going to be nice and girly Jennifer who doesn't own a skateboard. Except, things get a little out of hand when she starts sneaking off to skateboard and befriends someone who thinks she's a boy.
This book reminded me of Dress Codes for Small Towns by Court Stevens which I read last year. They are both books about tomboys who are trying to figure out how they can fit into the person people want them to be while also being true to themselves.
The characters were engaging and unique, and I really liked Jay's brother Jamie and how he was trying to help his sister as much as he could.

[Joseph Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Pride Book Tours for including me on the tour for this book and providing me with a free physical copy in exchange for an honest review.

When 14 year old Jay moves to a new town and a new school, it's supposed to be a fresh start, away from a tough time at a previous school, away from skateboarding, and away from dressing like a boy. But when Jay starts to get a crush on a boy at the skatepark, who thinks Jay is a boy, and also maybe a crush on a new bestie, who thinks Jay is a girl, Jay's life starts to get a bit complicated...

A funny and generally light-hearted read, but with some really thought-provoking parts, covering gender expression, archaic gender roles and societal expectations, and Jay's thought processes on affirming their non-conformity. Jay is a really lovable main character, and the entire cast of side characters is unique and are full fledged humans in their own right. A treat and a dream to read, I will definitely be keeping my eye out for more from this author!

[lucy, she-her · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

fuck it up ruby clyde!!!

this was a good book. it was very funny, and fun to read, which surprised because the cover is HIDEOUS (oh come on. look at it).

i’m glad jay’s mum’s emotional abuse was sort of addressed. some bits are a bit inconsistent, such as the full face of makeup seemingly being done within a few sentences when it would’ve taken at least an hour, and jay’s hair becoming shoulder length way faster than possible.

also, i guess i’m kinda confused about why everyone is so mad that jay wears jeans and hoodies. like, their mum is clearly a freak, but why is mina mad, as if jay kept it a secret from her? cis girls wear jeans and hoodies.

all of the “twists” such as alex being gay etc. weren’t exactly twists, but still worked fine in the story.

[Charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, I really related to Jay in many ways. Never wanting to dress like a girl and to always feel comfortable in what you want to wear. I felt her pain and I'm glad her brother was so supportive