What do you think?
Rate this book
The Grown Ups
A Sequel to My Best Rival
What happens after you walk off into the sunset?
Ocean and Ru have finally said goodbye to Averesch and taken their first steps into the adult world—hand in hand. School uniforms, dorms, detentions, and cafeterias are things of the past. Before them lies a world of choice and endless possibilities, which they are ready to face together.
Only, the first few steps come with a few stumbles. Ocean’s transition hits an impasse, leaving her feeling lost and alone despite sharing a small flat with her boyfriend. Her new friend Nilson (and his ethereal girlfriend, Tilda) might be just what she needs—even if they pull her further away from her previous life than she intended.
Meanwhile, Ru struggles to let go of the ghosts of his past. Keeping in touch with friends he used to see every day is both a joy and struggle, especially with everything else adulthood demands! On top of that, Yan has suddenly decided he wants them to have a proper father-son relationship, which Ru attributes to Yan’s new girlfriend.
Will Ru and Ocean’s young love be enough to keep them together? Or is growing up something that needs to be done by yourself?
What happens after you walk off into the sunset?
Ocean and Ru have finally said goodbye to Averesch and taken their first steps into the adult world—hand in hand. School uniforms, dorms, detentions, and cafeterias are things of the past. Before them lies a world of choice and endless possibilities, which they are ready to face together.
Only, the first few steps come with a few stumbles. Ocean’s transition hits an impasse, leaving her feeling lost and alone despite sharing a small flat with her boyfriend. Her new friend Nilson (and his ethereal girlfriend, Tilda) might be just what she needs—even if they pull her further away from her previous life than she intended.
Meanwhile, Ru struggles to let go of the ghosts of his past. Keeping in touch with friends he used to see every day is both a joy and struggle, especially with everything else adulthood demands! On top of that, Yan has suddenly decided he wants them to have a proper father-son relationship, which Ru attributes to Yan’s new girlfriend.
Will Ru and Ocean’s young love be enough to keep them together? Or is growing up something that needs to be done by yourself?
355 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 23, 2025
4 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 8, 2025
SPOILER FREE REVIEW:
This book is a follow-up to Dougie K. Powell's "My Best Rival." In the first entry, we follow Ru and Ocean's relationship as it transitions from feud/rivalry to romance, and we follow Ocean's story of coming out as trans.
Powell's sequel "The Grown Ups" dives headfirst into answering the question of what happens now that Ru and Ocean are in a relationship, and all the black and white and all shades of grey in-between that comes with that. The couple are not just dealing with the stresses of navigating life as young adults, but with all the changes entering Ocean's life as she begins the tumultuous, exhilarating journey of socially and medically transitioning. I was really drawn into seeing how she learns to rediscover her relationship with herself, with Ru, and the supporting cast of characters.
This book also tackles some of the realistic trials and messiness that comes with both a love story and what it's like to navigate life as a trans person. It doesn't shy away from the darker, even scarier parts of it. I found much of Ocean's story relatable, with both her happiness and her struggles with this new chapter of her life. This book is for anyone who wants a more complex, nuanced take on a romance, and for anyone who may either want to connect with or better understand what it's like to transition in this day and age.
This book is a follow-up to Dougie K. Powell's "My Best Rival." In the first entry, we follow Ru and Ocean's relationship as it transitions from feud/rivalry to romance, and we follow Ocean's story of coming out as trans.
Powell's sequel "The Grown Ups" dives headfirst into answering the question of what happens now that Ru and Ocean are in a relationship, and all the black and white and all shades of grey in-between that comes with that. The couple are not just dealing with the stresses of navigating life as young adults, but with all the changes entering Ocean's life as she begins the tumultuous, exhilarating journey of socially and medically transitioning. I was really drawn into seeing how she learns to rediscover her relationship with herself, with Ru, and the supporting cast of characters.
This book also tackles some of the realistic trials and messiness that comes with both a love story and what it's like to navigate life as a trans person. It doesn't shy away from the darker, even scarier parts of it. I found much of Ocean's story relatable, with both her happiness and her struggles with this new chapter of her life. This book is for anyone who wants a more complex, nuanced take on a romance, and for anyone who may either want to connect with or better understand what it's like to transition in this day and age.
August 12, 2025
An enjoyable read, my first book where LBGTQ+ was at the forefront. We follow Ocean, a transgender woman. I've read this as a standalone but I'm aware this is book two. It makes sense reading on its own and although I've missed Ru and Ocean's original meeting or relationship starting, it's been nice to follow them along this story. I liked meeting Tilda and Nilson but could see Ru and Ocean drifting a little but time could maybe heal the wounds as it were.
Still finding their feet in the university world but also finding out what they want in a relationship. Times are changing and it's good to see how authors portray it.
I'd probably go back and read book one at some point so I know their backstory but I didn't get confused going straight in with book two.
Still finding their feet in the university world but also finding out what they want in a relationship. Times are changing and it's good to see how authors portray it.
I'd probably go back and read book one at some point so I know their backstory but I didn't get confused going straight in with book two.
August 15, 2025
Spoiler: Ocean is my favorite! I was excited to receive an ARC of The Grown Ups by Dougie K Powell. In this second book, which I read as a standalone, Ru and Ocean are introduced as drifting lovers. Throughout the course of the book, their relationship faces challenges and joy. At the job, at school, and at home with each other they express independence and personal growth. I was happy to zoom in on these unique lives and feel their story with them. Five stars for power, woven plots, compelling struggles, and emotion.
Trans stories are so important, and it’s an honor to review this book. The struggles and emotions around the young trans lives issues depicted in this book are bold and real. I felt at home with Ru and Ocean and also began to understand the struggles. I’m a little bit more aware because of this book and all the more supportive because of it.
Trans stories are so important, and it’s an honor to review this book. The struggles and emotions around the young trans lives issues depicted in this book are bold and real. I felt at home with Ru and Ocean and also began to understand the struggles. I’m a little bit more aware because of this book and all the more supportive because of it.
September 21, 2025
This is my first book by Dougie K Powell, and it did not disappoint! The Grown Ups is an enjoyable novel about finding your footing after high school. We follow Ocean and Ru as they find their place, not just in the world, but with each other as well.
Stepping into the real world is difficult, especially when there are several forces at play; be it external (family dynamics) or internal (body dysmorphia). The book touches on those heavier subjects, which feels raw and honest, but doesn't feel too heavy.
The easy companionship Ocean finds with her new friends is fun to explore; who is she now that she's growing up, with these new people, and who can she become? I enjoyed her story arc.
I went into the novel without reading the first of the series (My Best Rival). At certain points I did feel like I was missing some information, mostly about Ru and Ocean's dynamic before their relationship and how that might explain some things that unfold in The Grown Ups, but at no point did that take away from the story.
Sidenote, as someone from The Netherlands, it's so fun to see certain places featured/mentioned in the book!
Stepping into the real world is difficult, especially when there are several forces at play; be it external (family dynamics) or internal (body dysmorphia). The book touches on those heavier subjects, which feels raw and honest, but doesn't feel too heavy.
The easy companionship Ocean finds with her new friends is fun to explore; who is she now that she's growing up, with these new people, and who can she become? I enjoyed her story arc.
I went into the novel without reading the first of the series (My Best Rival). At certain points I did feel like I was missing some information, mostly about Ru and Ocean's dynamic before their relationship and how that might explain some things that unfold in The Grown Ups, but at no point did that take away from the story.
Sidenote, as someone from The Netherlands, it's so fun to see certain places featured/mentioned in the book!
October 8, 2025
Having read My Best Rival, I was excited to return to Ru and Ocean’s story. And I actually loved The Grown Ups even more! Dougie delivers a thoughtful, honest look at love, identity, and finding your place in the world after high school.
At times, it was tough to read about Ocean’s struggles, but I appreciated seeing her journey from a trans girl’s/woman’s point of view. It felt real, raw, and important. The book balances heavy themes like family, transition, and body image with warmth and hope. It was also fun to see familiar Dutch settings woven in ;)
This Grown Ups is a tender, nuanced sequel that captures the messy, beautiful process of growing up and becoming who you truly are.
At times, it was tough to read about Ocean’s struggles, but I appreciated seeing her journey from a trans girl’s/woman’s point of view. It felt real, raw, and important. The book balances heavy themes like family, transition, and body image with warmth and hope. It was also fun to see familiar Dutch settings woven in ;)
This Grown Ups is a tender, nuanced sequel that captures the messy, beautiful process of growing up and becoming who you truly are.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews