Consequences of Normal: A Novel

by Elle Baade

A devoted mother fights to change hearts and minds while protecting her transgender child in a hopeful and poignant novel about family, finding your voice, and the illusion of normalcy.

Jane Zander has moved with her husband, Matt, back to his hometown of Atwood, Wisconsin, where he is the new headmaster of the prestigious Atwood Prep School. Jane hopes it will be a good fit for herself, her husband, and their children. Especially Charles, their six-year-old son, who aspires to be the next Julia Child, rejects the norms of boyhood, and insists he is a girl.

Jane only wants Charles to be happy. Matt, fearing for his own reputation in a town small enough for everyone to know everything, is in denial. And Charles is facing increasing pressure to conform. When Jane befriends Libby, an Atwood outcast, her advocacy for Charles grows even stronger. Then an unforeseen crisis changes everything, forcing a husband and wife, a family, and a community to confront their beliefs about gender, identity, and unconditional love.

Compassionate and illuminating, The Consequences of Normal explores the journey of a mother and child navigating a different but true path of their own.

Genres: Fiction, Audiobook, LGBT

267 pages, Paperback

Published April 28, 2026

Reviews

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A family becomes divided over how to support their gender fluid child, Charles, who lights up when wearing pink princess clothes but reverts into a shell when forced to wear typical "boy" clothes. The real story here is how Charles' mother changes and grows as a person as she researches and talks to others about Charles. For the first time, she must take a stand against her husband, who has been operating on the assumption that Charles simply needs more "male" experiences to embrace his birth gender. The story is reasonably well told, and the audiobook is well-narrated.
It is not as wonderful a tale as Laurie Frankel's "This is how it Always Is" on the same subject, but it is a worthwhile addition to the canon. 4.4 stars.
My thanks to the author, @ElleBaade, publisher, @BrillianceAudio, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook #ConsequencesofNormal for review purposes. Publication date: 28 April 2026.

[Ari (ariannasreading) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this book was just... wow. Elle Baade perfectly touches on so many of the delicate subjects and conflicts that are thrust upon trans kids and their parents; not just schoolyard bullies and judgmental moms, but biases within the healthcare and education systems that perpetuate the oppression of trans individuals. Not to mention the disappointment and heartbreak when the people who are supposed to love you unconditionally fail to do so because of their unwillingness or inability to accept you for who you truly are. Consequences of Normal manages to evoke a wide range of emotions and tug on heartstrings while navigating sensitive themes and will have you laughing and crying all at once.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

TW: self-harm, suicide and mental health

I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I power read this book as I just couldn’t/didn’t want to stop. I thought it was a really beautiful book and at times I had to remind myself it wasn’t a true story. For me, the way it came across felt like it was and then I read the acknowledgements and notes (also including excellent book club questions) and the author has four children, one of whom are transgender, so that then made sense to me. It also made sense as I could feel the heart and love in this book throughout. I finished it a couple of hours ago and can’t stop thinking about it.

The book focuses on the Zander family and their move to a prestigious school for Matt’s (the husband/Dad’s) new job as the headteacher. Accompanying him also are his wife Jane, daughter Louisa, son Charles and youngest daughter (baby) Henrietta. The move to the fancy school doesn’t last long as they’re made to feel unwelcome and as if they won’t fit in generally, in both the school and community. Matt then gets an offer at a school, infact his old school in his hometown, via a referral from his second cousin. The family move there and into the Wellington estate which is full of local history, rumours and local folklore, particularly surrounding the last resident of the property and mainly as she was treated like a pariah and became a bit of a hermit. Throughout the book Jane draws similarities to herself as she often feels like this but also once it becomes known that the family’s middle child Charles says he’s a girl (particularly dressing like one and not fitting people’s expectations of what a boy “should” look or dress like, play with or act like) this brings about a multitude of actions/reactions/ behaviours for the family to navigate.

There are many examples of pure ignorance, high emotion, but also it raises lots of dialogue around identity, culture, societal expectations, relationships, ignorance and tolerance. TW, there are also moments & discussions of self-harm, suicide and mental health. There are also moments of joy and happiness too, and I loved the Zander family (except Matt!), but also the primary school teacher and Libby (another victim of petty jealousies and gossip from the town’s “mean girls”). I thought Jane really fought for her family and was a real Mama Bear character fighting for them and especially having to be the protector and comforter in lieu of Matt’s absence and behaviours. Similarly, I loved the oldest sibling/child, Louisa. She was so supportive, considerate, kind, thoughtful and mostly non-plussed not just of Charles but also Jane too. I was so shocked at how awful Matt was and unsupportive of his child, wife and family, and would’ve hoped he’d be more tolerant, reasonable and empathetic given his role and education. I understand he was the headteacher and perhaps he didn’t want to rock the boat but he came across as intolerant, misinformed and highly unsupportive. I loved the character growth that Jane had and I was really rooting for her and Charles>Julia.

Ultimately I felt it was a truly beautiful book and there were many poignant and very emotional moments, i would give it a score of between 4.5-5 out of 5 as I felt things were ever so slightly longer in the build up (especially to the crisis point) and then the last quarter felt quicker. I certainly didn’t want the book to end and given its relevance, I hope it does well and reaches many.

Thanks again to the publisher and NetGalley again for this advance copy.

[Read_with_Beans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for the ALC of Consequences of Normal by Elle Baade, narrated by Sarah Naughton.

WOW. This book was absolutely incredible. This is a MUST-READ for everyone and will probably be added to the incredibly long and ever-growing list of banned books, which is even more of a reason to read it. This book explores the experience of the family of a young child (6 years old) named Charles, who feels it down to his core that he is a girl. Exploring what it is like as a parent trying to support their child even when they don’t know exactly how, other than with love. It shows the harm caused by those unwilling to understand what they do not know, and the undeniable pain Charles experiences.

In the author’s note, Elle Baade mentions how, when her own transgender child came to her to address their feelings, she didn’t know exactly how to support them in the best way, but knew she loved her child and would do anything for them.

This book will make you enraged by some of the characters’ actions, behavior, and hurtful words. It will give you hope when you see characters who are willing to be open and honest about their lack of understanding, yet willing to learn. It will make anyone who has felt cruelty and rejection from the “popular” people in their youth and/or adulthood feel seen and heard. In the end, it will make you grateful for the “good ones”.

I think this would be an incredible book club book as it lends itself to endless conversations that NEED to be had. I cannot express the importance of this book. PLEASE READ THIS.

As for the audiobook narrated by Sarah Naughton, nothing short of perfection. I absolutely loved her narration style and her voice. She was able to convey emotions and all the unsaid things in the tone of her voice as she portrayed characters. She didn’t need to provide differing voices for each different character because the story was so well written, listeners will add the “snarky” tone to the voices of the characters on their own. I am not sure if that makes sense, but I am trying to say that the author did such a wonderful job writing the characters and their actions, behaviors, and words that the narrator didn’t have to put on a “separate voice” for each separate character during narration, and the listener will already know exactly who said what. Sometimes I find it difficult to differentiate characters in audiobooks, especially when there is only a single narrator, but this audiobook never had me guessing which character was talking. I loved this narrator so much that I will look for audiobooks based not on the author or title, but by the stories she has narrated.

This book and audiobook were excellent. I cannot recommend this book enough, to enough people. I called my local librarian to recommend pre-ordering this book and making it an upcoming book club selection even before posting this review.

[Ella · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ This is a heartbreakingly beautiful story about the love of a mother and her fight to do everything she can to protect her child, and a must read for all.

In the Consequences of Normal we follow Jane, wife and mother of three, and her family as they move to a new town for her husband Matt’s job - which happens to also be the hometown he vowed never to return to. Jane has always had trouble fitting in and she worries for the same for her six year old son, Charles, who has been dressing and acting like a girl since he was able to talk. Matt has always thought it was just a phase, but Jane is becoming less sure as Charles becomes more insistent that he IS a girl, and shuts down, losing his whole personality when forced to dress or act like a boy. Their families think that it’s time he start acting like a boy, but Jane wants to support him as he is, and begins to wonders if he might be transgender. What exactly does that mean, how can she help, will Matt come around?

While I haven’t experienced anything quite like this as a parent, I connected deeply with Jane in so many ways. I couldn’t imagine making any other choice but to protect and support my child, cruel world be damned. I loved Jane’s connection with fellow small town outcast, Libby, and her relationship with daughter, Louisa. And Louisa’s love for Charles was so special. I struggled though, with my feelings about Matt. I think his character was well done, realistic and clearly battling his own demons of the past, his own struggles to fit in coming into play. I think for men there is often an image they get when they have a son, an expectation that messes with them when it turns out isn’t their reality. I think this was part of Matt’s struggle, and wish it could’ve been touched on to maybe explain some of his behaviors, but it was still made very clear that his issues stemmed mostly from within. The growth from Jane was spectacular and done in such a realistic way.

I highly recommend this book, especially for parents. It’s a story that is real for so many, relatable in so many ways. A testament to a mother’s love, found family, community and growth. I felt everything these characters were feeling, and I learned so much. I was left feeling heartbroken for so many living this story in real life differently, but hopeful because stories like this exist. And because mothers like Jane, friends like Libby, sisters like Louisa, programs/doctors/teachers talked about here exist. In reading about the author, I learned she is the mother of a trans child, which is probably why it feels so raw and realistic. I appreciate her sharing her knowledge and whatever experience was added to the story. This would make an amazing book club read, and I imagine some amazing discussion.

Huge thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read the eARC of Consequences of Normal by Elle Baade.

[Cennet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Format: Audiobook
Read: Less than 24 hours
ALC provided by NetGalley and Brilliance Audio in exchange for an honest review

If I could give this book 100 stars I would. Since I can’t, it’s getting 5 absolutely phenomenal stars. This book is going straight into my top 10 forever. I cried, I laughed, I talked out loud to myself almost the entire time, and I haven’t done that with a book in so long. It made me feel everything. It made me think. It made me reflect. I loved it with my whole heart.

I was genuinely so excited when I got approved for this ALC because the trans storyline immediately grabbed my attention. We have trans people close to us, and we’re part of the LGBTQIA+ community ourselves, so seeing a book centered around a trans child felt incredibly meaningful. Especially right now, in this political climate, this perspective matters.

The story follows Jane, a mother trying to protect her transgender daughter in a town and school environment that are not always kind. Her husband is the new headmaster at a prestigious prep school, and he’s more worried about reputation than reality. Their child, Charles, knows she is a girl and refuses to fit into the box everyone keeps trying to force her into. The pressure builds from every direction, and the book shows how unfair and exhausting that is for both the child and the family.

The character development for Jane was absolutely chef’s kiss. Five stars. Watching her grow into her voice, her strength, and her confidence as a mother was one of my favorite parts of the entire book. I related to her so much because I’ve never been great at socializing or fitting in either, and her struggle felt so real and familiar. Seeing her push past her fear and find her courage was powerful.

This book captured both perspectives so well. I spent so much time reacting out loud because so much of what happens mirrors what trans folks and their families deal with every single day. The fear, the love, the confusion, the pressure, the hope. It was all there.

Narrator Thoughts (Sarah Naughton):
The audiobook narration was absolutely incredible. Sarah Naughton didn’t just read the story, she carried the emotion in a way that made everything hit even harder. I could always tell who was speaking, even in the most intense scenes, and she shifted between characters so naturally that it felt like I was listening to real people. She captured fear, frustration, tenderness, and hope with so much authenticity. I honestly don’t think the book would have affected me this deeply without her performance. She elevated the entire experience.

I listened to almost the entire book in one sitting and only stopped because I wanted to be fully present for the ending. This book is compassionate, illuminating, and painfully relevant. It’s one of those stories that stays with you long after you finish it

[Meaghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced reader's copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Quick Take: Absolutely absorbing, could not put it down, domestic fiction that will stick with me.

Blurb: Jane and her husband Matt move their family back to Matt's small hometown in Wisconsin, where he will be the headmaster of a school. Everything should be wonderful, but Jane is worried about their six year old son Charles, who loves wearing dresses, wants to be Julia Child when he grows up, and insists he is a girl. Jane needs to untangle her own family trauma, the complicated social expectations of life as the headmaster's wife, her husband's concern for what the community will think, and what's best for Charles, and none of it comes with easy answers.

Mood Reader Guide: family life / domestic fiction / motherhood / transgender kids / LGBTQ+ / school politics / small town / PTO moms / gender identity / hospitals / first person POV

Thoughts: This book came to me by way of a close friend, who has a transgender child. She hadn't read it, but knew the author and thought it probably had potential.

I was truly blown away by how quickly I read this, and how I could not put it down. The story is emotional and hard to read as a mother, but so well done. I ached for Jane, and all the competing forces and issues she was trying to manage with her family. This book is so impactful, and I really hope many readers open their hearts and minds to meet Jane and her family, and hear their story.

(Full disclosure, I asked my close friend for her assessment, and she said it is incredibly realistic as to the experience of having a transgender child. That is not my life story at this point, but I can only imagine how validating and comforting it is for parents like her to see themselves and their families in books.)

"Supporting our trans kid is actually suicide prevention. And not supporting them is the exact opposite."





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Jane stands up for Charles and after he burned his hands and had to be hospitalized. She forces Matt to accept the reality (or get out of their lives), and Charles is now Julia (named of course for her hero). Jane relies on her friend Libby to be her support. Matt still has trouble accepting. Jane's flakey sister comes back in the picture and makes a good effort. Julia goes to public school, and Jane realizes she has to protect her children most of all, even if her marriage can't survive.

[Books By Your Bedside · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.

It has 48 chapters which makes roughly 5 pages a chapter, which I liked as I prefer short chapters over long ones.

This book angered me so much - not because of the writing or book itself, no no. But because of hte topic matter. I know it's fiction but the idea that people can be against a child doing what he or she wants, letting them live their life, wearing a dress if they want to etc. just confuses me so much. It's their life, let them be who they want to be. I wish it was just seen in fiction.

Yes there is the topic of transgender children, but there's a lot of other difficult topics such as illness, money difficulties, job worries, childhood trauma, alcoholism, self-harm, depression, and mental illness.

It's a timely book and an interesting story to read. I found it very moving, and whilst it isn't the most uplifting book at times, it is quite hopeful.

It's a little slow to get going. Not boring as such, but it is a bit slow, but that doesn't last too long and it really gets going.

It's a quick book to read, but a heavy one. So I managed to read it in a few hours but it is definitely still lingering.

Not all the characters are likeable. Jane's family, for one, are despicable. The main characters are lovely, with the exception of the father Matt. He's okay to begin with, just a bit naïve, but he seems to care more about society's expectations than his own child. He's also rude and selfish and overbearing and harmful. Whereas Jane is a wonderful mother. She is worried about Charles, knows how difficult the world can be, but she loves Charles and this story really is all about a mother's love and what she'll do to protect her children.

It's not always the most sophisticated written book, but I would say she's infused so much feeling into it that the actual writing style doesn't really matter.

Regardless of your prior knowledge around trans children, you will love this book. It's informative and honest but not preachy. It gives you the bad things as well as the good, and it almost argues with itself about whether being trans is "right" or not. It really gives you food for thought and it will stay with you.

I believe Elle has a child who is transgender, something I was wondering throughout, and you can tell because she's put so much heart into this story and the characters that I don't believe you can get from research alone.

[Macy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a powerful and important book. Though this book is a work of fiction, with a few changes could absolutely be a memoir as I imagine it mirrors many family experiences. It’s an emotional, smart, beautifully researched story of a family journey to figuring out who their child is. Jane and Matt marry young and he becomes the de facto decision maker of their world. It worked for them until it didn’t. When their middle child was born, from the moment he could express himself, he told any and everyone who would listen that he is a she. Jane, the amazing mom, doesn't know much about what being transgender means, but when their child starts to self harm, begins to educate herself because she loves her child. She wants to help him live the life he wants, transition into her and let her authentic self and accept it because having done so much research, she knows the statistics of a child who isn’t accepted. Matt, has polar opposite beliefs and does all he can to keep Charles a boy and doesn’t care about how it impacts his child. He doesn’t understand, isn’t willing to learn and is more concerned with what others will think than keeping his child safe. In his words, “ its just a phase’. Their journey is at times excruciatingly painful, sad, scary, lonely and truly a testament to what a parent will do and to protect their child. Jane makes some wonderful friends along the way, connects with and creates her own incredible community. The journey they take is deep, emotional, an amazing learning experience, filled with potholes, terrible judgmental uneducated people, an entire town of people who think it is their business to share their ignorant opinions and some amazing kind people as well. Jane is willing to put her marriage at risk to do what is best to save their sons emotional, mental and physical life. Matt is stuck in his beliefs and unbending. This book matters so much. For Jane, and for me as well, the bottom line is, as Maya Angelou said “when someone tells you who they are, believe them” and love them because of it, not in spite of. Acceptance, understanding and love are at the core of this story of what a parent will do for their child.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley.com in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Kate Reasoner · Rating 4 out of 5]

🎧 4/5 ⭐️ This novel centers on Charles, a six‑year‑old child who has known since the age of two that she is a girl and expresses that truth through how she dresses and lives. Her family, however, is deeply divided on how to respond. Jane, Charles’s mother, has spent years putting her own priorities aside to support her husband and maintain a sense of “normalcy.” But when it comes to her child, remaining silent is no longer an option.

As Jane begins to advocate openly for Charles, she finds herself challenging long‑standing expectations, straining her marriage, and risking relationships with friends and family. Along the way, she discovers new sources of support and strength—but the central question remains: will her husband ever be able to fully see and accept their child for who she truly is?

I’ll be honest, Jane was extremely frustrating to me at the beginning of the book. Her willingness to blindly support her husband while repeatedly setting aside her own instincts and voice was difficult to read. However, as the story progresses, Jane begins to find her strength through education. As she learns more, that knowledge gives her confidence and empowers her to make fact‑based decisions and arguments rather than operating from fear or habit.

It becomes increasingly hard and sometimes infuriating to watch close family members push back against her, especially given how strong and well‑supported her reasoning becomes. By the end, I found myself fully cheering for Jane’s growth, her self‑confidence, and the way she ultimately centers her children above all else.

This story felt very real to me. I think it mirrors the experience of many families and raises important conversations about identity, parenting, and acceptance. It also does a meaningful job of exploring how gender can be explained to different age groups and how attitudes, both within families and society, can evolve over time.

This is an emotional and compassionate story about motherhood, identity, and what it really means to love and protect your child.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Consequences of Normal is a well-written, thought provoking novel that is heartfelt and relevant with a mother's love at the center of the story. Jane has never fit in, whether with her mom and sister growing up or in the Texas neighborhood she, her husband Matt, and their children relocated to for Matt's job at a prep school. Matt, having completed a doctorate, is hoping for a promotion in administration. Jane, struggling to connect in their neighborhood that they can't afford, feels out of place among the affluent families. Their son, six-year old Charles, has an affinity for Julia Child, cooking and all things sparkly and princess. Jane and Matt have let Charles choose what he likes and don't think much of it-until it impacts Matt's promotion. Frustrated and concerned he is out of a job, Matt receives an unexpected offer to be the headmaster at Atwood Prep, in his former hometown. Too good to pass up and ready for a new start, Jane is supportive and the family moves once again. Starting to make friends, Jane and her family are at first happy and content in their new home. Charles continues to draw attention but the community is mostly supportive until an incident at school. Matt, increasingly in denial, refuses to see what is happening right in front of him and is turning into someone Jane doesn't recognize. Matt's denial has dangerous consequences that could forever alter their family. Elle Baade's novel asks readers to decide if being normal and popular is more important than being authentic and empathetic.

What I love about this novel is that it shows a family with different perspectives on an issue having very real conversations and reactions; it shows a mother's journey from being a supporting character in her family to being the main character in their lives and standing up for herself. This is a delicate subject that Baade handles masterfully. 5 stars.

[Sarah Skavnak · Rating 5 out of 5]

An emotionally powerful story about a mother's love for her child when her son tells her he is a girl. The novel dives into transgender children and how society, community, and family deals with this real gender identity. Jane and Matt are raising their three children Louisa, Charles, and Henrietta when Matt gets a new job in his small hometown of Wisconsin, the Zander family jump at a new start. Six year old, Charles has always gravitated to dresses, princesses, tiaras, and the color pink which his father believes to be a phase. However, Charles insists he is a girl. The family dynamics and marriage between Jane and Matt are troublesome as well as hard to read as Matt continues to deny what his child needs. This powerful novel sheds just a small light on the struggles a family as well as child must deal with when identifying as transgender. The writing as well as the story was raw, emotional, heartbreaking, and important. Watching Jane struggle to find her voice and stand up for the needs of her child was equally hard to watch but transformative. This novel is so important especially during this time as transgender rights are being taken away in the US. The author weaves a lot of important information into the story about transgender children and misinformation surrounding transgender children. I think the most powerful statement of acceptance and that most transgender children harm themselves due to lack of acceptance and support and not due to actually identifying as transgender.

Thank you to Netgalley and Lake Union publishing for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

[Jill Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW. This one was so emotional and incredibly difficult at times - I was literally yelling at characters out loud while listening! Baade has done an excellent job addressing the impact childhood trauma has on adult lives and decision-making, and painting a sympathetic yet still accountability-holding picture of the challenges this can represent when the traumatized child becomes a parent. My heart broke for Charles, who just wanted to be the child she was meant to be - a child very few people seemed interested in letting live her own life. I also felt for her poor sister, who got caught in the emotional crossfire time and again.

My one issue is that the parental transformation that Jane undergoes seemed to flip on a dime; for most of the story she was struggling in a very realistic-feeling and relatable way to deal with her own issues and how her husband's and community's reactions to Charles were exacerbating all of her own insecurities and fears, and then suddenly as the end of the book loomed large, she shifted (almost overnight) and became the advocate her child needed (and deserved) all along. It felt a little abrupt. I had no doubt she would get there, but considering her backstory and her drawn-out struggles, it felt a little tidily managed and it caused me to do a double-take. I was pleased to see it, just surprised by the sudden 180...

I'm sure this will turn out to be a very controversial story. It should not. At the end of the day, it's a tale of parental love and acceptance, of being true to one's self, and of learning to live with and move beyond our pasts - all of which are universal themes. The negativity that Charles and Jane confronted broke my heart and I literally clapped and cheered out loud when things finally shifted in their favor. This was a wonderfully moving story and the narration was extraordinary and really brought the characters and their struggles to life. Very well done Elle Baade...

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my obligation-free review copy.

[KyLee White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4 stars

*This review contains some mild spoilers*

I am having a hard time rating this book. On one hand, I want to rate it lower because it infuriated me so much; on the other hand, isn't the fact that it triggered such an intense reaction in me kind of the point?

The story was very emotional and moved at a decent pace. I really liked the narrator and will be looking for more of her Audiobooks in the future.

The mother, Jane, is very compassionate and I enjoyed hearing the story from her perspective. You can FEEL how much she loves and cares about her kids. 

The father started off promising and then made me more and more angry as the book went on. Sadly though, his views along with Jane's family's behavior is a quite accurate representation of others in the Midwest.

I enjoyed seeing Jane grow her confidence and become her own person. Libby and Jane's friendship is beautiful, and I love that Jane had her support!

The tragedy was not as impactful as I expected it to be, and I don't believe it would have had such a significant impact on anyone's bigoted views. I wish the book would have focused more on Jane learning about the transgender community, how to support transgender youth, and standing up to her unsupportive husband.  

With that being said, the audiobook kept me engaged and wanting to know what would happen next. It got me to care for Jane and her family and was a good read overall.

Thank you to Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for providing me with this Audiobook ARC and allowing me to leave an honest and impartial review.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a heavy, emotional read, but also a really important one.
It follows the Zander family as they move to a small town where everything feels watched, judged and controlled. At the centre of it is Charles a young child who knows who she is, even when the world around her refuses to accept it.

What really stood out to me was the way this book handles love, the kind that has to fight. Jane, as a mother is constantly trying to protect her child while the people around her make that harder at every turn and it was honestly both heartbreaking and infuriating to read at times.

Theres a lot of frustration in this story and alot of ignorance. But also so much care, growth and strength. It doesnt shy away from how complicated these situations are, especially within families and communities that are set in their ways. Its not a light read and it does take a little while to fully settle into, but once it does, it really stays with you. I kept thinking about it long after I finished.

This is one of those books that makes you stop and reflect, not just on the characters, but on the world around you and the way people are treated for simply being who they are 💔

tropes ✨
family dynamics 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
small town setting 🏡
identity and self discovery 🪞
parental protection 🛡️
social issues 📚

contemporary fiction, family drama, transgender representation, identity, motherhood, small town, emotional read, thought provoking, character driven, mental health

[Li Sa · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredible book! This story is deeply vulnerable and honest—my heart goes out to everyone, especially kids who are not allowed to be themselves. It’s such an important and raw perspective, showing how easy it is to judge and how scary it can be to see it happen to a loved one, the doubts that accompany it, and the unforeseen rifts it causes. It also made me aware of a privilege I didn’t even know I had. It feels sadly so relevant right now and even more important to get it out there.
The first few chapters are a bit slow, but then it picks up momentum and stays engaging all the way through. I actually got angry for them at times and just wanted to make people see sense. I know people can be mean and hurtful, especially when they are scared or don’t understand something, but wow, it was hard to read about some of these cruel characters. They felt a bit cliché, but I guess people really can be that ugly when you only get to see their behavior.
One thing that didn’t fully work for me was Mickey’s redemption arc. Although it was heartwarming, it came out of nowhere for me and felt a bit rushed.
It made me really happy, though, to see Jane learn to stand up for herself and her kids—her evolution, the love and compassion she had for her children, and the friendships and support they found.
Great writing and a compelling story with powerful insights and lessons—definitely recommend!

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Consequences of Normal will break your heart. Based loosely on her own experiences, author Elle Baade tells the story of a family in crisis. Matt and Jane Zander move to his home town of town of Atwood, Wisconsin where he becomes the new headmaster of prestigious Atwood Prep. Matt is excited to further his career while Jane hopes that she and their three children will find friends and a sense of belonging. It’s complicated. Since he could talk, five year old Charlie has said that he is a girl. “Either I’m a girl, or my brain is broken.” His brain is definitely not broken and Jane begins to research gender identity and what it means for her child. Matt, on the other hand, thinks that this is just a phase and feels embarrassed when Charlie wears his older sister’s outgrown clothes. This leads to unintentional cruelty on his part and creates cracks in the Zander’s once strong marriage.

Through Jane, we learn a great deal about gender identity. Transgender children are described as “insistent, persistent and consistent” about who they are. This describes Charlie so well. It’s difficult to review Consequences of Normal without revealing the many challenges faced by both the Zander family and the Atwood community. This is a beautifully written novel with believable characters, and a subject that is ripped from today’s headlines. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Elle Baade for this ARC.

[Jennifer Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Consequences of Normal by Consequences of Normal absolutely wrecked me in the quietest, most human way possible. This is one of those books that doesn’t rely on shock value or nonstop action to make an impact — it sinks into you slowly and then suddenly you realize you’re carrying these characters around long after you’ve stopped reading.
Elle Baade captures the ache of trying to fit into the version of “normal” the world expects from you while quietly unraveling underneath it all. The emotional depth in this story felt incredibly raw and authentic, and the writing had this almost haunting softness to it that made every moment land harder.
The suburban atmosphere mixed with the heavier emotional themes created such an unsettling but beautiful contrast. Every relationship felt layered, messy, and painfully real. I found myself highlighting passages constantly because the author just gets the complexities of loneliness, identity, expectations, and the things people hide behind closed doors.
This is the kind of literary/contemporary fiction that sneaks up on you emotionally. Thought-provoking, emotional, intimate, and incredibly well written.
If you love character-driven stories that explore the darker corners of being human while still holding onto hope, this one deserves a spot on your radar immediately.

[Jerni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review Title: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, MOST WORTHWHILE READ

I thoroughly enjoyed and very much appreciated reading Elle Baade’s realistic fiction novel “Consequences of Normal”, which I got to preview ahead of publication.

This is a well-written, most engaging, easy-to-read book that was, for me, a real page-turner and quite meaningful. At numerous points along the way, I found my empathetic self deeply touched and even moved to tears.

The story line is a well structured, multi-plot novel that I recommend to anyone who likes reading about family dynamics and current social issues, especially children’s education and their equal rights. Parents, guardians, educators, healthcare providers, and those in social services will benefit from reading Consequences of Normal.

Older teens and adults who are open-minded to learning more about children who are part of the LGBTQ+ community, particularly those who are differently-gendered, and readers supportive of women’s rights, will likely appreciate this book as well.

I’d especially recommend Consequences of Normal to parents, guardians, family, and friends with a child questioning their gender identity. You’ll find this story to be an excellent resource and most informative introduction to this issue.

[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

What would you do if your child said he was a she? What if society says this is wrong? And what is normal? These are questions this novel takes on as it explores a mother’s love for her child.

Jane Zander moves with her family to her husband’s hometown as he takes over as the new head master at Atwood Academy. She has three children, Charles, and two small daughters. Charles loves to dress as a girl. Jane allows Charles the freedom to be whomever she says she is while her husband, Matt, sees Charles’s behavior as a phase he’ll outgrow. This creates tension in the marriage and Charles is also dividing the school. When a potentially tragic event occurs, it’s time to draw a line in the sand.

This book takes on a very relevant topic: transgenderism. Through this author’s lens we see that this is nothing to fear in bringing transgender. Allowing the child choose is the best course for the child’s well being.

Such a thought provoking, poignant and captivating book. It’s beautifully written too. I loved Jane. She’s so loving and committed to ensuring Charles has everything she needs to succeed. This is such a relevant book and much needed in today’s times.

I’d like to thank NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for allowing me to read this ARC.

[Miranda Beystehner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Consequences of Normal was such an emotional read. It follows the Zander family as their young child, introduced as Charles, begins the journey of discovering their true identity as transgender. I found myself completely invested in their story and rooting for them the whole way. It’s one of those books that really pulls you in and is hard to put down.

That said, it’s definitely a heavy read and can be frustrating at times. I was especially angry at certain characters, particularly Matt, Charles’s father. On the other hand, Jane, the mother, really stood out. She fought with all of her might to navigate the entire journey on her own. It really illustrated the strength of a mother in protecting her child at all costs.

The book touches on some important themes, like the value of true friendship and what it means to have people in your corner. It also doesn’t shy away from showing that family support isn’t always guaranteed, but that you can overcome that.

Overall, I really enjoyed this one and appreciate Elle Baade for telling such a meaningful story. Make sure to read the Author’s Note at the end - it adds a lot of context and makes the book even more impactful.

Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the advance reader copy!

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, just wow. This is a powerful book with an important story and is also accessible. The characters feel real and it is a fast read.

Jane and Matt have moved back to his hometown for him to pursue his dream job as headmaster of a school. Jane has always supported her husband in all things, but starts to see that she might need to change in order to support their middle child. Throughout this book Jane grows into herself in order to save her family. Along the way she finds out what and who is important to her.

My heart hurt so many times throughout this book. I both wanted to devour it and was nervous to go on because my heart was breaking. The audio was phenomenal with the narrator bringing both Jane and all of the other characters to life.

My only critiques were small and really didn't impact my love for this book. I could have lived without the "mystery" of the house's previous owner and a few of the characters seemed a little flat.

I beg you to take the time to read this book when it comes out!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance audio copy of this book - all opinions are my own.

[Andi_loves_2_read · Rating 5 out of 5]

Consequences of Normal is a great book! The story is told to us by the mom in a family of five - Mom, Dad, older sister, Louisa, middle child, Charles, and the youngest sister, Henrietta. Charles was born with a penis; therefore, his parents and the rest of the world, say he’s a boy. But Charles is not a boy, in fact, he insists that he is a girl, so I will refer to Charles with she/her pronouns for the rest of this review because Charles IS a girl; she makes it very clear. As a parent myself, I put myself in Charles parents shoes and it was hard! What do you do when your child insists that they are not the gender they were assigned at birth? What if mom and dad have differing opinions about it? How will it affect the siblings? Is allowing her to be who she truly is worth the bullying and worry? Is forcing the “correct” gender on someone worth their life?
This is an important book and I highly recommend it to everyone! Transgender lives matter.
Thank you to Brilliance Publishing/Brilliance Audio & NetGalley for the free ARC & ALC - terrific narrator!

[Kim L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book feels incredibly relevant right now. The Zander family relocates hoping for a clean slate, but their son Charles quickly learns that starting over doesn’t mean starting easy—especially when he’s trying to be true to who he is. Watching him struggle to find acceptance is tough, and the emotional core of the story really centers on his mother, Jane, whose fierce, unwavering love for her child is both beautiful and heartbreaking.

The story tackles a sensitive topic with care and thoughtfulness. While I don’t have personal experience with this subject, it felt respectfully handled and made me pause to think about how unconditional love between a parent and child should look—and how often it falls short in the real world.

If you’re open to a meaningful read that offers perspective and emotion, I highly recommend it. 4.5⭐ rounded up.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC.

[Jacquie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was emotional, thought-provoking, and pulled me in right away. The writing was engaging, the pacing was quick, and the characters felt authentic.

The story follows Jane and Matt as they move back to Matt’s hometown for his new role as headmaster of a school. Jane has always been the steady support system for her family, but as her middle child struggles she begins to question what support really looks like and where she fits into it all. Watching Jane’s development was one of my favorite parts of this book.

This story hit me hard emotionally. There were moments that genuinely hurt my heart, and moments that infuriated me. I found myself so invested in this story.
I did struggle with some of the subplot and characters that didn’t feel like they were significant to the story

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Consequences of Normal by Elle Baade took me on an emotional journey. This book is about a mother of a transgender child who is only six years old. We get to learn a lot about trans kids and how they feel and how important it is for them to be accepted for how they feel inside and not what the world expects them to look like because of the sex they were assigned at birth. What I loved about this book was the journey of a mother who wants to please everyone, and doesn't have the voice and the ability to stand up to outside pressure. We get to see her learn about herself and own her own power to learn how to advocate for her child. This was a beautiful book about a woman who learns to find her own voice and to honor her own feelings and the feelings of her child. This book needs to be read. 4.75⭐️

[Emma-Louise Wykes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC for review.

This was a powerful and emotional read. Books like these are so vital for broadening minds and raising awareness among the general population.

Jane and Matt have 2 daughters and a son. Their son likes wearing dresses and tutus. Matt is convinced its just a phase, despite it having persisted for 4 years, but Jane starts to research gender fluidity as she rightly suspects that their son could be transgender.

Over the course of the book, we see how damaging Matt's views and domineering behaviour towards his son are, and how it traumatises and isolates him. On the other hand, Jane grows from being timid and shy to being the biggest advocate for and defender of her child, and overcoming her fears for the safety and protection of her children.

Great book, and grateful to have found it.

[Alison Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like to jokingly tell my husband we’re fated mates after reading fairy books, but after finishing this book, I have never loved or appreciated him more.


Special thanks to NetGalley for providing me with this ARC.
This book was both heartbreaking and inspiring. As a person who considers myself an ally to the LGBTQ community, this book was very eye opening and a great reminder of what people really need to feel supported. I found the story to be realistic and could not only see myself in the main character, but found each side character to be accurate portrayals of people in my life. I couldn’t put it down!

[Steve Baade · Rating 5 out of 5]

During the times we live in there are a few must read books and this is one. This is a beautifully and emotionally written book that hits home for any parent with a transgender child. It hits home for any mother who loves their children and wants to protect them from all the judgmental and hateful people out there that have a definition of normal that is hateful and that no longer fits in a society where the beauty is in our differences. You will laugh you will cry and you will come away with an appreciation for parents and a deeper understanding of a topic that is so talked about today, but so terribly misrepresented and misunderstood. Please read this book!!

[Ellen Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so fitting for the times we live in right now. The Zander family is so relatable and Jane is so endearing. She is admirable for the devotion to her child Charles. My heart was aching as a I read but I am glad to find a book that touches on subjects that are so relatable today. The characters were beautifully developed and the book has such a smooth flow. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.