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The Body Riddle: A Novel
The body riddle—What if the body you fought for no longer fits the life you built before it?
When Lex finally receives a date for their chest surgery, they’re not sure if they want to go through with it. But it’s been a year since they’ve had sex with their cis partner, Ada, who believes Lex’s surgery will rekindle their kinky dynamic.
When surgery doesn’t have the outcome either expects, Lex, in the spirit of their non-monogamous relationship, tries to support Ada's new romance with Noah, a cis man. But Lex’s jealousy spirals—Is Ada replacing them? And does she prefer cis masculinity after all?
Then Lex meets Sadie, a magnetic nonbinary coworker who awakens a new attraction. Lex thought they were only attracted to women and has never dated another trans person. Unsure about their changing sexuality, Lex hides the budding romance from Ada. As secrets build, Lex must decide what kind of love—and life—they really want.
Sharp, intimate, and tender, The Body Riddle is about queer longing, identity, and the messy beauty of reconfiguring desire on your own terms.
When Lex finally receives a date for their chest surgery, they’re not sure if they want to go through with it. But it’s been a year since they’ve had sex with their cis partner, Ada, who believes Lex’s surgery will rekindle their kinky dynamic.
When surgery doesn’t have the outcome either expects, Lex, in the spirit of their non-monogamous relationship, tries to support Ada's new romance with Noah, a cis man. But Lex’s jealousy spirals—Is Ada replacing them? And does she prefer cis masculinity after all?
Then Lex meets Sadie, a magnetic nonbinary coworker who awakens a new attraction. Lex thought they were only attracted to women and has never dated another trans person. Unsure about their changing sexuality, Lex hides the budding romance from Ada. As secrets build, Lex must decide what kind of love—and life—they really want.
Sharp, intimate, and tender, The Body Riddle is about queer longing, identity, and the messy beauty of reconfiguring desire on your own terms.
344 pages, Paperback
Published May 19, 2026
About the author
Sam K MacKinnon
1 book11 followersSam K MacKinnon is a writer living in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Treaty 1 territory and the homeland of the Métis Nation. Their writing explores queer trans identity and has been published in numerous outlets, including Prairie Fire, Catapult, Them, Flare, Xtra, CBC, and others. They were shortlisted for the 2022 John Hirsch Emerging Manitoba Writer Award. Their debut novel THE BODY RIDDLE will be published by House of Anansi Press in May 2026.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 20, 2026
The Body Riddle by Sam K MacKinnon. Thanks to @houseofanansi for the gifted copy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Lex has finally scheduled a date for top surgery but is still unsure. They want to bring back their comfort with their body and enjoy sex again with their cis partner. Surgery doesn’t have the outcome expected and Lex finds themselves beginning an attraction to a nonbinary coworker.
This was such an educational and eye opening read for me. While I’ve done by best to support the trans community, as a cis, I don’t know what it’s like to be trans. This first person narrative really showed the nuances and how body image can impact not only sexuality but intimacy as well. We were with Lex their entire way before, during, and after top surgery and were privy to all of their inner thoughts. I really liked this one and felt it was an impactful read to me. I can only imagine how impactful it would be to someone who could relate.
“I thought I saw myself in opposition to them, these mythical cis people I held up as fully at peace with their bodies. I wanted peace for myself. I wanted my experience of living to be less challenging, which is to say, I wanted to be cis. I wished there was a trans person way to be cis.”
Read if you like:
-Trans experience stories
-First person narration
-Sexuality and intimacy tropes
-LGBTQIA reads
The Body Riddle came out 5/19 and is available today.
Lex has finally scheduled a date for top surgery but is still unsure. They want to bring back their comfort with their body and enjoy sex again with their cis partner. Surgery doesn’t have the outcome expected and Lex finds themselves beginning an attraction to a nonbinary coworker.
This was such an educational and eye opening read for me. While I’ve done by best to support the trans community, as a cis, I don’t know what it’s like to be trans. This first person narrative really showed the nuances and how body image can impact not only sexuality but intimacy as well. We were with Lex their entire way before, during, and after top surgery and were privy to all of their inner thoughts. I really liked this one and felt it was an impactful read to me. I can only imagine how impactful it would be to someone who could relate.
“I thought I saw myself in opposition to them, these mythical cis people I held up as fully at peace with their bodies. I wanted peace for myself. I wanted my experience of living to be less challenging, which is to say, I wanted to be cis. I wished there was a trans person way to be cis.”
Read if you like:
-Trans experience stories
-First person narration
-Sexuality and intimacy tropes
-LGBTQIA reads
The Body Riddle came out 5/19 and is available today.
November 26, 2025
I’d like to thank Edelweiss for providing an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Lex's story was not linear, because life is not that simple and after major changings in their lives they need to learn how to live again. I think the story was reflexive, and brought up some doubts in Lex's mind that many trans people might relate to which it must be comforting to know you are not alone in this moments where you don't know yourself or is trying to find out. I adored Thom as a character and you see how friendship is the found family we all need when things are a mess.
There were some things that were a little annoying regarding Ada but I only had a problem with those, the rest I really enjoyed the ride.
Lex's story was not linear, because life is not that simple and after major changings in their lives they need to learn how to live again. I think the story was reflexive, and brought up some doubts in Lex's mind that many trans people might relate to which it must be comforting to know you are not alone in this moments where you don't know yourself or is trying to find out. I adored Thom as a character and you see how friendship is the found family we all need when things are a mess.
There were some things that were a little annoying regarding Ada but I only had a problem with those, the rest I really enjoyed the ride.
tbr-arc
November 17, 2025the description basically screams my name
*thank you to House of Anansi Press for the ARC*
*thank you to House of Anansi Press for the ARC*
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.25
setting: Canada
rep: queer transmasc protagonist; hella queer book
I hope this gets the love it deserves when it comes out! A really well-written exploration of Lex's emotional and physical journey over the course of about a year. loved the found family in this, and Sadie, honestly this could have been a five star read if it wasn't for ada. way too much of her in here! lex 100% was not a perfect character, they make a lot of shitty choices, but I hated how ada treated them some of the time and got away with it
setting: Canada
rep: queer transmasc protagonist; hella queer book
I hope this gets the love it deserves when it comes out! A really well-written exploration of Lex's emotional and physical journey over the course of about a year. loved the found family in this, and Sadie, honestly this could have been a five star read if it wasn't for ada. way too much of her in here! lex 100% was not a perfect character, they make a lot of shitty choices, but I hated how ada treated them some of the time and got away with it
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you to House Of Anansi Press for the free copy 🩷
After receiving the official date for their top surgery, Lex is hesitant to go through with it. For a year now, the sex life between Lex and their cis partner Ada has been stagnant, but Ada believes that once Lex has their surgery, the passion between them will reignite. When this isn’t the case after the surgery, Lex tries to compensate in their non-monogamous relationship by supporting Ada’s new romance with a cis man named Noah. But deep down, Lex is insecure, scared that Ada prefers Noah’s cis masculinity. And then they meet Sadie, their non-binary colleague, and as Lex questions their sexuality, they hide the growing romance with Sadie from Ada. With mounting secrets and growing insecurities, Lex will have to decide what it is they want in life and love.
What a lovely and beautiful novel! 🩷 This is definitely now one of my fav books ever. MacKinnon wrote a beautiful book about transness, desire, self-discovery, friendship, love, and more. As someone who’s been questioning their own gender for awhile now, The Body Riddle felt like a warm hug, a validation to my own questions and insecurities. I loved how much this book made me think, not just about gender and sexuality, but about relationships, friendships, neurodivergence, and non-monogamy. Lex is autistic and MacKinnon demonstrates how inaccessible the world is for autistic people. Not only is the relationship between Lex and Ada imbalanced because of Ada’s lack of understanding of transness, but also because of her lack of understanding of Lex’s autism. These are two things that Ada will never be able to understand, but it was clear from Lex’s pov that Ada could have done more to be empathetic and accommodating.
Ada as a character frustrated me. Her love for Lex was palpable, but so too was her lack of respect. It didn’t feel right to me that Ada would enter a relationship with a cis man right as their trans partner was about to have gender affirming surgery, ESPECIALLY considering they knew about Lex’s insecurities.
Her lack of effort to support Lex was frustrating, especially because I really loved Lex. Sweet Lex who was going through so much. Their internal monologue throughout made me really sad, and I empathized so much with their feelings of loneliness, their difficulty socializing, and insecurities. Some moments hit really close to home. I’m really happy they had a friend like Thom, WHO I ADORED!!!! 🩷 Thom was so fun and sweet, the best best friend ever haha. And Sadie 🩷
Overall, a wonderfully gorgeous novel that I highly recommend picking up! I’ll be thinking about it for a long time 🩷
After receiving the official date for their top surgery, Lex is hesitant to go through with it. For a year now, the sex life between Lex and their cis partner Ada has been stagnant, but Ada believes that once Lex has their surgery, the passion between them will reignite. When this isn’t the case after the surgery, Lex tries to compensate in their non-monogamous relationship by supporting Ada’s new romance with a cis man named Noah. But deep down, Lex is insecure, scared that Ada prefers Noah’s cis masculinity. And then they meet Sadie, their non-binary colleague, and as Lex questions their sexuality, they hide the growing romance with Sadie from Ada. With mounting secrets and growing insecurities, Lex will have to decide what it is they want in life and love.
What a lovely and beautiful novel! 🩷 This is definitely now one of my fav books ever. MacKinnon wrote a beautiful book about transness, desire, self-discovery, friendship, love, and more. As someone who’s been questioning their own gender for awhile now, The Body Riddle felt like a warm hug, a validation to my own questions and insecurities. I loved how much this book made me think, not just about gender and sexuality, but about relationships, friendships, neurodivergence, and non-monogamy. Lex is autistic and MacKinnon demonstrates how inaccessible the world is for autistic people. Not only is the relationship between Lex and Ada imbalanced because of Ada’s lack of understanding of transness, but also because of her lack of understanding of Lex’s autism. These are two things that Ada will never be able to understand, but it was clear from Lex’s pov that Ada could have done more to be empathetic and accommodating.
Ada as a character frustrated me. Her love for Lex was palpable, but so too was her lack of respect. It didn’t feel right to me that Ada would enter a relationship with a cis man right as their trans partner was about to have gender affirming surgery, ESPECIALLY considering they knew about Lex’s insecurities.
Her lack of effort to support Lex was frustrating, especially because I really loved Lex. Sweet Lex who was going through so much. Their internal monologue throughout made me really sad, and I empathized so much with their feelings of loneliness, their difficulty socializing, and insecurities. Some moments hit really close to home. I’m really happy they had a friend like Thom, WHO I ADORED!!!! 🩷 Thom was so fun and sweet, the best best friend ever haha. And Sadie 🩷
Overall, a wonderfully gorgeous novel that I highly recommend picking up! I’ll be thinking about it for a long time 🩷
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May 17, 2026The Body Riddle: A Novel by Sam K MacKinnon is a sharp, emotionally intimate contemporary novel that explores queer identity, bodily transition, and the fragile negotiations of love within non traditional relationships.
At its center is Lex, a character navigating complex emotional terrain as questions of gender, embodiment, and desire intersect with a long term non monogamous partnership. The narrative engages directly with the uncertainty that can accompany medical transition, not as a linear resolution but as a lived, evolving experience shaped by relationships, expectations, and internal conflict.
One of the novel’s most compelling strengths is its emotional honesty. Rather than simplifying identity into fixed categories, the story allows desire and attraction to shift in ways that feel deeply human and unpredictable. Lex’s evolving relationships both with Ada and Sadie become a space for examining jealousy, insecurity, discovery, and the redefinition of intimacy.
The book also stands out for its nuanced portrayal of queer and nonbinary experiences within relational structures that resist traditional norms. Themes of non monogamy, bodily autonomy, and emotional truth are handled with sensitivity, creating a narrative that feels grounded in lived complexity rather than abstract theory.
At 344 pages, The Body Riddle offers a substantial and immersive character-driven experience that prioritizes emotional depth and relational tension over external plot mechanics.
Overall, this is a thoughtful and contemporary queer literary novel that will resonate strongly with readers interested in identity, gender exploration, relationship dynamics, and the evolving nature of love and desire.
At its center is Lex, a character navigating complex emotional terrain as questions of gender, embodiment, and desire intersect with a long term non monogamous partnership. The narrative engages directly with the uncertainty that can accompany medical transition, not as a linear resolution but as a lived, evolving experience shaped by relationships, expectations, and internal conflict.
One of the novel’s most compelling strengths is its emotional honesty. Rather than simplifying identity into fixed categories, the story allows desire and attraction to shift in ways that feel deeply human and unpredictable. Lex’s evolving relationships both with Ada and Sadie become a space for examining jealousy, insecurity, discovery, and the redefinition of intimacy.
The book also stands out for its nuanced portrayal of queer and nonbinary experiences within relational structures that resist traditional norms. Themes of non monogamy, bodily autonomy, and emotional truth are handled with sensitivity, creating a narrative that feels grounded in lived complexity rather than abstract theory.
At 344 pages, The Body Riddle offers a substantial and immersive character-driven experience that prioritizes emotional depth and relational tension over external plot mechanics.
Overall, this is a thoughtful and contemporary queer literary novel that will resonate strongly with readers interested in identity, gender exploration, relationship dynamics, and the evolving nature of love and desire.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and House of Anansi Press Inc. for an eARC of this work!
When reading the blurb for this book, I was extremely intrigued by the premise. I think any story that deviates from the norm of ‘coming out’ or transitioning is a welcome addition to the spectrum of experiences for queer people and the LGBTQ+ community. That said, while there are plenty of meaningful and deep discussions around gender identity, sexuality and masculinity, it felt hard to get into the characters, because I felt like the dialogue was not authentic. It felt less like ‘telling’ and not a great amount of ‘showing,’ if that makes sense.
I’m somewhat conflicted on my overall stance on the book. On the one hand, this book offers a lot to trans representation and makes some interesting points about gender and sexuality. But, on the other hand, it was hard to truly feel ‘in’ this book due to the lack of interest or connection with the characters. So, at this point, I’m undecided, but I’m open to further conversation and would love to hear how others feel about this book.
When reading the blurb for this book, I was extremely intrigued by the premise. I think any story that deviates from the norm of ‘coming out’ or transitioning is a welcome addition to the spectrum of experiences for queer people and the LGBTQ+ community. That said, while there are plenty of meaningful and deep discussions around gender identity, sexuality and masculinity, it felt hard to get into the characters, because I felt like the dialogue was not authentic. It felt less like ‘telling’ and not a great amount of ‘showing,’ if that makes sense.
I’m somewhat conflicted on my overall stance on the book. On the one hand, this book offers a lot to trans representation and makes some interesting points about gender and sexuality. But, on the other hand, it was hard to truly feel ‘in’ this book due to the lack of interest or connection with the characters. So, at this point, I’m undecided, but I’m open to further conversation and would love to hear how others feel about this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 rounded up
This was an educational read for me in the best way. I do not know much about the trans experience, especially the internal negotiations around identity, body, and the question of being “trans enough,” so I appreciated the nuance and honesty here. Lex’s journey feels intimate and vulnerable, and I valued how the story shows that changing your body does not magically quiet every doubt. That said, I found the couple’s dynamic a bit confusing at times. The monogamy and non monogamy tension pulled my focus, and around the 60 percent mark I noticed my attention drifting. I wanted a slightly tighter narrative lens, something more anchored. Still, this is a thoughtful and worthwhile read, especially for readers who want to better understand the emotional layers behind transition. Thank you to NetGalley and House of Anansi Press for the ARC!
This was an educational read for me in the best way. I do not know much about the trans experience, especially the internal negotiations around identity, body, and the question of being “trans enough,” so I appreciated the nuance and honesty here. Lex’s journey feels intimate and vulnerable, and I valued how the story shows that changing your body does not magically quiet every doubt. That said, I found the couple’s dynamic a bit confusing at times. The monogamy and non monogamy tension pulled my focus, and around the 60 percent mark I noticed my attention drifting. I wanted a slightly tighter narrative lens, something more anchored. Still, this is a thoughtful and worthwhile read, especially for readers who want to better understand the emotional layers behind transition. Thank you to NetGalley and House of Anansi Press for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Incredible story. Lex is an amazing main character with so many complexities. This story felt very real and like it pulled from real life experiences.
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May 21, 2026My conversation with MacKinnon discussing the book here:
https://umfm.com/programming/broadcas...
https://umfm.com/programming/broadcas...
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I don't have friends that act like this and try to stay away from people who do. I would not spend one hour with any of these characters. I think the only reason I gave it two stars was because I was feeling generous and they do eventually shut up.
Apologies. I just really couldn't get into it maybe because I already know who I am and what the playing field is like so I don't need another coming out story to listen to. Also, in what economy would a toast restaurant even survive? Could be great for a polyamorous 30 year old taking T gel though.
Apologies. I just really couldn't get into it maybe because I already know who I am and what the playing field is like so I don't need another coming out story to listen to. Also, in what economy would a toast restaurant even survive? Could be great for a polyamorous 30 year old taking T gel though.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews