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Mick & Michelle
Fifteen-year-old Mick Mullins has a great his parents are sweet, his sister is tolerable, and his friendships are solid. But as summer descends on Queens, he prepares to turn his carefree existence upside down by disclosing a secret he has kept long enough. It’s time to work up the courage to reveal that he is not a boy, but a girl—and that her name is Michelle. Having always been the perfect, good boy, Michelle is terrified that the complicated truth will disappoint, hurt, or push away the people closest to her. She can’t continue hiding for much longer, though, because her body is turning into that of a man’s, and she is desperate to stop the development—desperate enough to consider self-medicating with hormones.
Most of all, Michelle fears that Grandpa, who is in a nursing home after a near fatal stroke, won’t survive the shock if he finds out that his favorite grandchild, and the only boy, is a girl. If she kills her beloved Grandpa by leaving Mick behind, she isn’t sure embracing her real identity will be worth the loss.
230 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 31, 2017
2 people are currently reading
202 people want to read
About the author
Nina Rossing
6 books183 followersNina Rossing lives in Norway, where the winters are long and the summers short. Despite the brilliant nature surrounding her, she spends more time in front of her computer, or with a book in her hands, than in the great outdoors (though you may find her out on her mountain bike if the weather is good). She works as a high school teacher, which in her opinion is probably the best job in the world.
Nina is an avid and eclectic reader whose bookshelves are bursting (and so is her e-reader). After thinking about writing for many years, she now finds time to live out her dream after her kids are in bed. She prefers creating young adult stories where obstacles are overcome and endings are hopeful.
Nina is an avid and eclectic reader whose bookshelves are bursting (and so is her e-reader). After thinking about writing for many years, she now finds time to live out her dream after her kids are in bed. She prefers creating young adult stories where obstacles are overcome and endings are hopeful.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
August 1, 2020
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Harmony Ink for allowing me to read and review this wonderful new novel by Nina Rossing. Rossing does a fabulous job of taking us viscerally through Michelle's experience of transitioning in ways large and small.
One really important issue raised in the book is the importance of relationships. Michelle has so many people in her life who are important to her. Grandpa, who has had a series of strokes, and who she visits as Mick. Her parents and sister. Her friends, and Gabriel, the boy she works with over the summer on whom she has developed a crush. How will each of these people react when Michelle no longer can bear the lies and decides to tell them the truth? Rossing crafts this section of the book with much emotion and it was one of my favorite parts.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the author.
Please excuse typos. ENtered on screen reader.
One really important issue raised in the book is the importance of relationships. Michelle has so many people in her life who are important to her. Grandpa, who has had a series of strokes, and who she visits as Mick. Her parents and sister. Her friends, and Gabriel, the boy she works with over the summer on whom she has developed a crush. How will each of these people react when Michelle no longer can bear the lies and decides to tell them the truth? Rossing crafts this section of the book with much emotion and it was one of my favorite parts.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the author.
Please excuse typos. ENtered on screen reader.
February 3, 2018
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
There's always a hard balance between making a book about a trans teenager "happy" while also making it "real," and I think Nina Rossing hit this balance perfectly!
Mick & Michelle is about a teenager, Mick, who is a girl with a boy's body. She has an older sister whom she envies and two loving parents that are tough-as-nails NYPD cops. She has friends, but none that she's told, and she's on the cusp of sixteen when irreversible changes are about to happen to her boy-body.
With something of a ticking clock in her head, the book follows the time where she starts coming out to those around her. Michelle is an interesting character in that she experiences the physical and emotional dysphoria of being in the wrong body, but she's a very practical thinker, and she considers things like her grandfather's health and her family's money situation before even thinking about how or what she wants to move forward with in her transition. Now when I say "practical," I don't necessarily mean "correct" thinking. Though her narration is very level-headed, I think it's absolutely heartbreaking how much she puts others' comfort above her own. Without the author ever saying it outright, I think that's the real tragedy of this book.
But Rossing did promise happy, didn't she? This book felt very real to me because Michelle got such a broad range of reactions from people when she comes out. Some give unconditional support, some don't understand but are willing to try, and some bursts of support from corners she had never expected. On the flip side, some people entirely make it about them, which, to Michelle, is almost worse than total rejection.
Michelle was a great voice in this scene of literature. Her family and friends were dynamic characters and I loved the story that Rossing created. Well done!
There's always a hard balance between making a book about a trans teenager "happy" while also making it "real," and I think Nina Rossing hit this balance perfectly!
Mick & Michelle is about a teenager, Mick, who is a girl with a boy's body. She has an older sister whom she envies and two loving parents that are tough-as-nails NYPD cops. She has friends, but none that she's told, and she's on the cusp of sixteen when irreversible changes are about to happen to her boy-body.
With something of a ticking clock in her head, the book follows the time where she starts coming out to those around her. Michelle is an interesting character in that she experiences the physical and emotional dysphoria of being in the wrong body, but she's a very practical thinker, and she considers things like her grandfather's health and her family's money situation before even thinking about how or what she wants to move forward with in her transition. Now when I say "practical," I don't necessarily mean "correct" thinking. Though her narration is very level-headed, I think it's absolutely heartbreaking how much she puts others' comfort above her own. Without the author ever saying it outright, I think that's the real tragedy of this book.
But Rossing did promise happy, didn't she? This book felt very real to me because Michelle got such a broad range of reactions from people when she comes out. Some give unconditional support, some don't understand but are willing to try, and some bursts of support from corners she had never expected. On the flip side, some people entirely make it about them, which, to Michelle, is almost worse than total rejection.
Michelle was a great voice in this scene of literature. Her family and friends were dynamic characters and I loved the story that Rossing created. Well done!
October 9, 2017
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for sending this my way to read and review. Mick & Michelle is a young adult contemporary set for release late October.
The novel follows Mick, as he is struggling with his gender identity and trying to come out as transgender to his closest family and friends. I found it really interesting learning more about the psycho social toll that gender identity takes on someone.
I applaud the author for bringing this topic into contemporary light and dealing with it in a respectable and realistic manner, for example
I wouldn't hesitate to read from this author again.
The novel follows Mick, as he is struggling with his gender identity and trying to come out as transgender to his closest family and friends. I found it really interesting learning more about the psycho social toll that gender identity takes on someone.
I applaud the author for bringing this topic into contemporary light and dealing with it in a respectable and realistic manner, for example
I wouldn't hesitate to read from this author again.
Read
July 10, 2017Another book of mine that I'm not going to rate - but I'd love it if you would do me the honor!
September 27, 2017
This story touches on many topics, exercise addiction, abortion, drugs, gender identity, to name a few and not all of those are to do with the main character.
This author has a knack for creating three dimensional characters, and bringing the entire cast to life, including those who make minor appearances. While on one hand that’s something to be admired, on the other, it left me with too many questions. What became of Michelle’s marathon obsessed mother, her promiscuous sister, overweight father, grandfather, her mother’s ex-husband (don’t ask) and son… and on and on?
While the ending certainly sounded hopeful, I was still left to decide for myself what became of everyone.
This part of the authors bio sums the tone of this book up perfectly.
- She (Nina) prefers creating young adult stories where obstacles are overcome and endings are hopeful.
Would I recommend this book? You betcha.
Copy provided by the publisher, via NetGalley
This author has a knack for creating three dimensional characters, and bringing the entire cast to life, including those who make minor appearances. While on one hand that’s something to be admired, on the other, it left me with too many questions. What became of Michelle’s marathon obsessed mother, her promiscuous sister, overweight father, grandfather, her mother’s ex-husband (don’t ask) and son… and on and on?
While the ending certainly sounded hopeful, I was still left to decide for myself what became of everyone.
This part of the authors bio sums the tone of this book up perfectly.
- She (Nina) prefers creating young adult stories where obstacles are overcome and endings are hopeful.
Would I recommend this book? You betcha.
Copy provided by the publisher, via NetGalley
October 23, 2017
I really, really, really wanted to love this book. I wanted to be happy to see another book representing lgbt community in a great way, but that isn’t really what I got with Mick & Michelle.
Why I didn’t really like this book:
The writing in this novel felt off.
The writing itself felt disjointed from what a realistic situation would have been like. No matter what the author tried to do to make this feel authentic for me, I just couldn’t see it, because every so often a character would say or do something that seemed pretty off to me and I couldn’t get into the story.
Weird Situations.
There is a part in this novel where a guy catcalls a girl in the street and Mick (truly Michelle) wishes she would one day be catcalled… which paired with the guy (who originally catcalled) basically telling Michelle that girls feel good and enjoy being catcalled because they feel wanted came off as extremely disturbing. This situation and many others made this book a very uncomfortable book to read.
Redeeming Qualities:
The ending was kinda cute.
I liked the ending a bit. If anything it was my favorite part of this novel.
Imperfect Humans:
So while a lot of this story didn’t really make sense to me, the one thing that did make sense was that in the end this story was an imperfect one about imperfect people and while I may not have enjoyed it in the way I wanted to and that’s ok. All human experience is different and even though parts of Michelle’s journey didn’t ring true for me, they could ring true for you.
Why I didn’t really like this book:
The writing in this novel felt off.
The writing itself felt disjointed from what a realistic situation would have been like. No matter what the author tried to do to make this feel authentic for me, I just couldn’t see it, because every so often a character would say or do something that seemed pretty off to me and I couldn’t get into the story.
Weird Situations.
There is a part in this novel where a guy catcalls a girl in the street and Mick (truly Michelle) wishes she would one day be catcalled… which paired with the guy (who originally catcalled) basically telling Michelle that girls feel good and enjoy being catcalled because they feel wanted came off as extremely disturbing. This situation and many others made this book a very uncomfortable book to read.
Redeeming Qualities:
The ending was kinda cute.
I liked the ending a bit. If anything it was my favorite part of this novel.
Imperfect Humans:
So while a lot of this story didn’t really make sense to me, the one thing that did make sense was that in the end this story was an imperfect one about imperfect people and while I may not have enjoyed it in the way I wanted to and that’s ok. All human experience is different and even though parts of Michelle’s journey didn’t ring true for me, they could ring true for you.
November 14, 2017
~ 3.5 Stars ~
Though it’s her third publication with Dreamspinner’s YA imprint, Harmony Ink Press, Mick & Michelle is the first book I’ve read by author Nina Rossing. I was intrigued by her first two books when they came out, but something about this cover and the blurb for Mick/Michelle’s story grabbed me. The book’s title includes both of the title character’s names for a reason, obviously, and at one point she does say that she is somehow both Mick and Michelle at the same time, as her life as Mick won’t be erased—and she wouldn’t want it to be—but, who she truly is, and the name she desperately wishes for her family and friends to call her is Michelle. So, I will mainly refer to her as Michelle.
When we first meet Michelle, she is two weeks away from turning sixteen, and beginning to feel a sense of panic about being trapped in Mick’s body. No one in her family suspects what is going on with her—what, in fact, she has known to be true for a few years—but, as puberty threatens to take a firmer hold of her body, she knows she’s running out of time to not only talk to her family but to get the help she needs to stop the changes from progressing any further. I can’t imagine the uncertainty felt by someone faced with sharing that type of news with people. As the story moved along, I felt myself getting so nervous about everyone’s reactions, especially Michelle’s parents and grandpa. I thought Rossing did a good job with expressing Michelle’s emotions along the way as well. So many worries, fears and questions.
I loved her bravery and strength so much, though. She keeps researching and planning, never wavering in who she is or what she wants.
The overall tone of the book is fairly light, though there are certainly some serious moments. And, I thought Michelle’s voice was very authentic. There were a few word choices that seemed a little dated or off, but for the most part it absolutely sounded like a teenager’s point of view. I loved that Michelle was such a rule follower and that she wanted to be a cop, just like her parents. She was extremely close to her parents and sister, who we learn she has been sporadically stealing things like clothes and jewelry from and putting them away in a box. The entire Mullins clan’s family dynamic was fantastic. Probably my favorite thing about the book was how tight-knit they all are. Michelle was so, so worried about telling everyone about herself, but in particular her grandpa, who she was very close to. I don’t want to ruin anything by spoiling who reacts to Michelle’s news in what way, but I thought the mix of reactions seemed realistic.
Mick & Michelle is a nice portrait of one transgender teen in a small neighborhood in New York trying to figure out how to finally start living her true life without upsetting the balance too much, or hurting anyone she cares about. I enjoyed the entire story, but especially the last third. I actually wish the author could have included a small epilogue of some kind, so that we could have seen how things were going for Michelle down the road. Good stuff overall! I hope that others enjoy it, too.
Reviewed by Jules for The Novel Approach
Though it’s her third publication with Dreamspinner’s YA imprint, Harmony Ink Press, Mick & Michelle is the first book I’ve read by author Nina Rossing. I was intrigued by her first two books when they came out, but something about this cover and the blurb for Mick/Michelle’s story grabbed me. The book’s title includes both of the title character’s names for a reason, obviously, and at one point she does say that she is somehow both Mick and Michelle at the same time, as her life as Mick won’t be erased—and she wouldn’t want it to be—but, who she truly is, and the name she desperately wishes for her family and friends to call her is Michelle. So, I will mainly refer to her as Michelle.
When we first meet Michelle, she is two weeks away from turning sixteen, and beginning to feel a sense of panic about being trapped in Mick’s body. No one in her family suspects what is going on with her—what, in fact, she has known to be true for a few years—but, as puberty threatens to take a firmer hold of her body, she knows she’s running out of time to not only talk to her family but to get the help she needs to stop the changes from progressing any further. I can’t imagine the uncertainty felt by someone faced with sharing that type of news with people. As the story moved along, I felt myself getting so nervous about everyone’s reactions, especially Michelle’s parents and grandpa. I thought Rossing did a good job with expressing Michelle’s emotions along the way as well. So many worries, fears and questions.
Will I cease to exist, like the people on the wall, when I leave Mick behind? What will happen to the memories of me? All those pictures of me as a boy, hanging by the last flight of stairs. Are they still valid?
I loved her bravery and strength so much, though. She keeps researching and planning, never wavering in who she is or what she wants.
I keep surfing the net, searching for new stories about people like me, as if that provides any clear-cut answer and solutions to the mystery that is me. The distance between the information out there and my life in our tiny house in Woodside is so massive…
I read happy stories, despondent stories, tragic stories. I compare myself to every story but find nothing that matches exactly or close enough. I must make up my own story, carve out my own path.
The overall tone of the book is fairly light, though there are certainly some serious moments. And, I thought Michelle’s voice was very authentic. There were a few word choices that seemed a little dated or off, but for the most part it absolutely sounded like a teenager’s point of view. I loved that Michelle was such a rule follower and that she wanted to be a cop, just like her parents. She was extremely close to her parents and sister, who we learn she has been sporadically stealing things like clothes and jewelry from and putting them away in a box. The entire Mullins clan’s family dynamic was fantastic. Probably my favorite thing about the book was how tight-knit they all are. Michelle was so, so worried about telling everyone about herself, but in particular her grandpa, who she was very close to. I don’t want to ruin anything by spoiling who reacts to Michelle’s news in what way, but I thought the mix of reactions seemed realistic.
Mick & Michelle is a nice portrait of one transgender teen in a small neighborhood in New York trying to figure out how to finally start living her true life without upsetting the balance too much, or hurting anyone she cares about. I enjoyed the entire story, but especially the last third. I actually wish the author could have included a small epilogue of some kind, so that we could have seen how things were going for Michelle down the road. Good stuff overall! I hope that others enjoy it, too.
Reviewed by Jules for The Novel Approach
October 28, 2017
Rossing writes so clearly and emphatically you really feel for the journey that Michelle is on as she tries to break free from the body of Mick that everyone else sees. The way she talks about how Michelle feels, the things she must do to herself physically, the things she hides from others, her fears, all of it comes off the pages in waves of pain, sadness and confusion. If you aren’t transgendered it really makes you think about the extreme simplistic things we take for granted, that we don’t even think about as we go through our days.
Michelle is given lots of people in her life who know her as Mick, the boy she was born as and lived, and she is trying to hide the truth of her identity from them in order to protect their feelings and her ties to them. Family, friends and even a ‘potential’ love interest are all used to as various pieces to the bigger puzzle of how do you live as your authentic self in a world that might not be ready for it?
Though what she’s going through is very emotional and psychologically confusing, Michelle’s character also has a huge heart in that she considers the welfare of others such as her ailing Grandfather in trying to decide how to live as she was meant to be. To some it may seem selfish that she’s trying to put their happiness ahead of hers but Rossing shows it was about more than that, it was about her love and compassion for others.
As Michelle begins to emerge we are given a very emotional yet genuine impression of what it feels like for her to struggle to be honest to those whose opinions mean the most. The fear and pain that could come if she doesn’t receive the support she needs or the relief and happiness if they accept her. Rossing writes with respect towards the Trans community while managing to provide a heartwarming story without exploiting the very people she’s trying to give a voice to.
I hope anyone who reads this and hasn’t had firsthand experience with someone in the Trans community will gain a better understanding of what they go through so maybe they’ll act with more compassion and respect when given the opportunity.
Michelle is given lots of people in her life who know her as Mick, the boy she was born as and lived, and she is trying to hide the truth of her identity from them in order to protect their feelings and her ties to them. Family, friends and even a ‘potential’ love interest are all used to as various pieces to the bigger puzzle of how do you live as your authentic self in a world that might not be ready for it?
Though what she’s going through is very emotional and psychologically confusing, Michelle’s character also has a huge heart in that she considers the welfare of others such as her ailing Grandfather in trying to decide how to live as she was meant to be. To some it may seem selfish that she’s trying to put their happiness ahead of hers but Rossing shows it was about more than that, it was about her love and compassion for others.
As Michelle begins to emerge we are given a very emotional yet genuine impression of what it feels like for her to struggle to be honest to those whose opinions mean the most. The fear and pain that could come if she doesn’t receive the support she needs or the relief and happiness if they accept her. Rossing writes with respect towards the Trans community while managing to provide a heartwarming story without exploiting the very people she’s trying to give a voice to.
I hope anyone who reads this and hasn’t had firsthand experience with someone in the Trans community will gain a better understanding of what they go through so maybe they’ll act with more compassion and respect when given the opportunity.
November 1, 2017
There is a lot of confusion in any teenager’s life, what with all the physical changes and trying to define what to do with a life that used to be determined by others. This story about fifteen-year-old Mick deciding to come out to let everyone know that he is Michelle touches on all of them – plus it adds the layer of being trans and determining what the best way forward is. Michelle knows she does not have forever to make the decision – physical changes are forcing her hand on that front. Of course she is afraid of rejection and the pain of losing friends. But she is also a very considerate girl and everyone else’s needs (like her grandfather’s ill health) are as much factors in coming up with a plan as her own safety.
Please find my full review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Please find my full review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
October 22, 2017
I received this book from Netgalley in.exchange for an honest review. First I wanna say Mick and Michelle is the first transgender fiction book I read and it wont be my last. I have 2 other transgender books in my boxes of books. I really enjoyed this book. Its basically a coming of age story. A teenage boy trying to figure out who he is and needing support from his family and friends. I would recommend this book to anyone in the LGBT community and family members and friends of someone thats transgender. I will also read more books from Nina Rossing. I give this book 4 1/2 stars because I felt like the book ended too soon but overall I really liked the story line and the characters. BIG THUMBS UP 👍👍👍👍
October 23, 2017
Release date: 31 October 2017
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
I have read a few YA books about trans people and the impact that transitioning has on their life but this is the first one that I have come across where the main character had yet to say to their family “oh hey, I am transgender”, and that is what drew me to this book in the first place.
Nina Rossing does a really good job of writing in such a way that even cis readers get a lump in their throat when learning of everything that Michelle is going through whilst trapped in Mick’s body. The thing that hit me most emotionally wasn’t the fear of Michelle’s voice breaking, or that she had a suitcase of clothes under her bed, it was that she was plucking out any hair that might appear in a place that it isn’t stereotypically feminine for them to grow (thanks mainstream media for that one!). I just wanted to hug her so much throughout the entire book.
An important aspect of the book which I don’t think has been tackled so strongly in any of the other fictional stories of trans people that I have read to date is the relationships that are already developed before Michelle came out and how these were impacted as a result. It was, I feel, handled in a very realistic way; sadly enough, not everybody in your life will handle coming out in a positive way. We also see the struggles that even those accepting people have as a result.
I did like this book but the second half was a lot stronger than the first (which was a struggle to get through at times). Definitely a great addition to the LGBT+ representation in this genre and I will definitely be recommending it to others in the future.
Thank you to the publisher for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
I have read a few YA books about trans people and the impact that transitioning has on their life but this is the first one that I have come across where the main character had yet to say to their family “oh hey, I am transgender”, and that is what drew me to this book in the first place.
Nina Rossing does a really good job of writing in such a way that even cis readers get a lump in their throat when learning of everything that Michelle is going through whilst trapped in Mick’s body. The thing that hit me most emotionally wasn’t the fear of Michelle’s voice breaking, or that she had a suitcase of clothes under her bed, it was that she was plucking out any hair that might appear in a place that it isn’t stereotypically feminine for them to grow (thanks mainstream media for that one!). I just wanted to hug her so much throughout the entire book.
An important aspect of the book which I don’t think has been tackled so strongly in any of the other fictional stories of trans people that I have read to date is the relationships that are already developed before Michelle came out and how these were impacted as a result. It was, I feel, handled in a very realistic way; sadly enough, not everybody in your life will handle coming out in a positive way. We also see the struggles that even those accepting people have as a result.
I did like this book but the second half was a lot stronger than the first (which was a struggle to get through at times). Definitely a great addition to the LGBT+ representation in this genre and I will definitely be recommending it to others in the future.
Thank you to the publisher for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
August 30, 2019
3.75
This book was kind of hard to get into. It started off slow (which isn't great for a book that's 230 pages!) but after several chapters it picked up.
The problem was endless rambling about family's Irish past and history, before giving enough information and personality to our main character. I have to care about Michelle before you make me care about the past 4 generations of her family.
Also, I know this is a small press release, but on the first page of chapter 8 a whole paragraph is repeated, almost word for word, with just a slight change in the first sentence. It's like Rossing was trying to decide how to word it the best, then forgot to delete one. Very confusing for a second when you're reading it!
Once we get past all of this, the book mainly focuses on Michelle, or 'Mick' as her family know her. She's just on the cusp of adolescence, and is terrified that any day puberty will take hold, and masculine up her features, deepen her voice, and make her feel even more trapped than she is already.
This story is about the journey of coming out as trans, about family and friendship and acceptance. I also really liked the fact that there's a boy who's introduced, and he didn't turn into a love interest. Don't get me wrong, I loved that If I Was Your Girl was so positive about romantic relationships, but it's also important to see a trans girl focusing on herself, and not using the acceptance or romance of a guy to 'fix' her. This is an integral period of time that's stressful enough, without making it about a boy
This book was kind of hard to get into. It started off slow (which isn't great for a book that's 230 pages!) but after several chapters it picked up.
The problem was endless rambling about family's Irish past and history, before giving enough information and personality to our main character. I have to care about Michelle before you make me care about the past 4 generations of her family.
Also, I know this is a small press release, but on the first page of chapter 8 a whole paragraph is repeated, almost word for word, with just a slight change in the first sentence. It's like Rossing was trying to decide how to word it the best, then forgot to delete one. Very confusing for a second when you're reading it!
Once we get past all of this, the book mainly focuses on Michelle, or 'Mick' as her family know her. She's just on the cusp of adolescence, and is terrified that any day puberty will take hold, and masculine up her features, deepen her voice, and make her feel even more trapped than she is already.
This story is about the journey of coming out as trans, about family and friendship and acceptance. I also really liked the fact that there's a boy who's introduced, and he didn't turn into a love interest. Don't get me wrong, I loved that If I Was Your Girl was so positive about romantic relationships, but it's also important to see a trans girl focusing on herself, and not using the acceptance or romance of a guy to 'fix' her. This is an integral period of time that's stressful enough, without making it about a boy
October 10, 2017
Mick is a 15-year-old boy, but not really. Physically, he is male, but inside he's a girl. Through a summer of renovating his grandpa's house, Mick struggles with his body's developments, and how to approach the subject of his gender identification with this family and friends.
My heart breaks for those who feels like Mick; who feel like they were born in the wrong body. That being said, I didn't much like this book. There was hardly any story here apart from Mick/Michelle's inner turmoil, and thought provoking as it was, it got a little boring in the long run. I had hoped it was just a slow start, but it never really kicked in until ~75%, and not even really, then. I had hoped it would include more than a summer so that we could experience Mick/Michelle's budding transformation and his/her high school experience as a transgender kid.
ARC provided in exchange for my honest review
My heart breaks for those who feels like Mick; who feel like they were born in the wrong body. That being said, I didn't much like this book. There was hardly any story here apart from Mick/Michelle's inner turmoil, and thought provoking as it was, it got a little boring in the long run. I had hoped it was just a slow start, but it never really kicked in until ~75%, and not even really, then. I had hoped it would include more than a summer so that we could experience Mick/Michelle's budding transformation and his/her high school experience as a transgender kid.
ARC provided in exchange for my honest review
December 2, 2017
A Hearts on Fire review.
Keeping secrets doesn’t come easy to rule abiding Mick Mullins, whose greatest dream next to becoming a cop is to come out to the world as the girls she knows she is. But there’s always a reason to put off telling her family and friends, always some tragedy or drama to distract her from rocking the boat for the first time in her life. But now her body is changing in ways she doesn’t think she can survive, and she knows she needs to act fast to stop these things from happening no matter how much it scares her. Getting a crush on an unreachable bad boy does not make things any easier, and as summer goes on Michelle keeps putting off the inevitable. Hopefully when she bites the bullet summer will have a happy ending.
This was a breathtaking and beautiful book and it’s my favorite coming of age story since Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. You could really feel Michelle’s emotions and her thoughts came through crystal clear. I cried when things were going badly for her and I cried tears of happiness when things went well. Michelle’s story is a brutally honest take on what it’s like to be a transgender teen, while still maintaining an optimistic and hopeful outlook. I adored Michelle, and I loved reading her story and seeing how she dealt with the various hurdles thrown her way. I also loved her fun, kind, and hilarious family. They were all distinct and enjoyable characters, from rule breaking Ash to their hopelessly in love cop parents to bed ridden but still lively Grandpa. All the characters, good and bad, jumped off the page and felt real to me. The story was honest and had exactly the right amount of complexity to properly show how there always seemed to be a reason for Michelle to wait to come out without distracting from Michelle’s main struggle of coming out.
If I had to pick a weak point of this book, it would be that sometimes facts would be revealed late in the book out of nowhere in awkward ways. For example, the fact that Ash and Michelle were conceived through in vitro was brought up late in book and then mentioned several times after in a way that felt a little odd. However, this is a tiny nitpick that did not stop me from enjoying the book in the least. Otherwise, I just wanted more! I’d love nothing more than a sequel exploring the next steps in Michelle’s transition.
I highly recommend this book. It was an amazing exploration of what it’s like to be a trans teen and it gave honest and ultimately hopeful answers to what coming out is like. An absolute must read.
Keeping secrets doesn’t come easy to rule abiding Mick Mullins, whose greatest dream next to becoming a cop is to come out to the world as the girls she knows she is. But there’s always a reason to put off telling her family and friends, always some tragedy or drama to distract her from rocking the boat for the first time in her life. But now her body is changing in ways she doesn’t think she can survive, and she knows she needs to act fast to stop these things from happening no matter how much it scares her. Getting a crush on an unreachable bad boy does not make things any easier, and as summer goes on Michelle keeps putting off the inevitable. Hopefully when she bites the bullet summer will have a happy ending.
This was a breathtaking and beautiful book and it’s my favorite coming of age story since Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. You could really feel Michelle’s emotions and her thoughts came through crystal clear. I cried when things were going badly for her and I cried tears of happiness when things went well. Michelle’s story is a brutally honest take on what it’s like to be a transgender teen, while still maintaining an optimistic and hopeful outlook. I adored Michelle, and I loved reading her story and seeing how she dealt with the various hurdles thrown her way. I also loved her fun, kind, and hilarious family. They were all distinct and enjoyable characters, from rule breaking Ash to their hopelessly in love cop parents to bed ridden but still lively Grandpa. All the characters, good and bad, jumped off the page and felt real to me. The story was honest and had exactly the right amount of complexity to properly show how there always seemed to be a reason for Michelle to wait to come out without distracting from Michelle’s main struggle of coming out.
If I had to pick a weak point of this book, it would be that sometimes facts would be revealed late in the book out of nowhere in awkward ways. For example, the fact that Ash and Michelle were conceived through in vitro was brought up late in book and then mentioned several times after in a way that felt a little odd. However, this is a tiny nitpick that did not stop me from enjoying the book in the least. Otherwise, I just wanted more! I’d love nothing more than a sequel exploring the next steps in Michelle’s transition.
I highly recommend this book. It was an amazing exploration of what it’s like to be a trans teen and it gave honest and ultimately hopeful answers to what coming out is like. An absolute must read.
November 21, 2017
I was given a copy via NetGalley in exchange of an honest review
The idea of a YA book with a transgirl as a protagonist is what caught my attention. It is hard to find YA stories that don't focus in cis m/m relationships and I'm always looking for books that explore the LGBT+ spectrum. This book gives what it promises, the story of Mick/Michelle and the process of coming out to herself and to everyone as trans. However, that is everything what it is. There are not deep storylines nor deep development of the characters. Most of them seem too round and predictable and and even Michelle does not grow through the story.
Some things were a bit off with the writing and the eating disorder joke like almost at the beginning of the book made me struggle with my reading. After overcoming that the reading was quick and light.
One positive aspect of this story is its happy ending. It was a bit rushed though, like at the last 10 chapters everything got solved and I still got many questions.
The idea of a YA book with a transgirl as a protagonist is what caught my attention. It is hard to find YA stories that don't focus in cis m/m relationships and I'm always looking for books that explore the LGBT+ spectrum. This book gives what it promises, the story of Mick/Michelle and the process of coming out to herself and to everyone as trans. However, that is everything what it is. There are not deep storylines nor deep development of the characters. Most of them seem too round and predictable and and even Michelle does not grow through the story.
Some things were a bit off with the writing and the eating disorder joke like almost at the beginning of the book made me struggle with my reading. After overcoming that the reading was quick and light.
One positive aspect of this story is its happy ending. It was a bit rushed though, like at the last 10 chapters everything got solved and I still got many questions.
July 1, 2018
The early stages especially, where Michelle is unpicking her own gender bias, sorting out her own thoughts, the confusion and the attempts to find herself in the myriad of all-too-often inaccessible online rhetoric…they were great. - Matt
Michelle is a teenager – she turns 16 in the book – and being in her head… It really felt as if we were listening to a very real, flesh and blood teenager. - Laura
Read our full review here
Michelle is a teenager – she turns 16 in the book – and being in her head… It really felt as if we were listening to a very real, flesh and blood teenager. - Laura
Read our full review here
November 9, 2017
3.5 stars. I enjoyed this one. I thought Rossing did a nice job with Michelle's story. I really loved the family relationships and closeness. <3 Full review coming to www.thenovelapproachreviews.com
October 23, 2021
This was near perfection, and def one of the best coming out stories I've read. My only gripe with it would be the lack of high school in it but because it takes place during the summer break thats understandable. It was an absolutely amazing read and stayed up till 4 am to finish it
August 8, 2020
I came across the book by chance whilst browsing netgalley’s LGBTQIA one evening, downloaded after skimming the blurb, and devoured it in less than two days - a rare feat these days.
The book tells of "Mick Mullins", the 15 year old youngest child of two cop parents. As a notorious good kid, Mich is constantly pointed out as a very well behaved boy by family and friends, and grandfather alike - the perfect son. The thing is though, Mich is a girl, and her name is Michelle.
We follow Mich's first person narrative through a warm summer holiday between sophomore and junior year of high school, visiting grandfather Mick in his nursing home and clearing out his old home. We follow Michelle through the same summer, as she becomes increasingly aware of the fact that her time is running out. Puberty is well away, and every day brings her closer to irreversible strides towards "manhood" she would rather be without.
What I will say, is that overall, I honestly really liked the book. Michelle's hopes and fears for her future and fore her life; the issues and obstacles that are either brought up, or that she has to work through her self; the reactions she faces when people learn of her truth, both good and bad. Most of all I loved the ending - spoiler allert, it's a happy one.
Concidering the world we live in, writing a book about trans stories that is happy yet true can be difficult, but I feel Nina Rossing did good. Her story manages to maintain a ballance between good and bad, whilst focusing, for the most part, on the positive. It doesn't ignore or overlook the problems one can face as a trans person, but for most part the focus remains on Michelle's life, her sister, her parents, and the friends that stick around.
I was bothered by the rather ableist language that popped up at times - presented as angry or insulting dialogue, for reasons and in ways kids really do use them, but still there, and still, possibly and probably, hurtful for for people affected by them. I am well aware of how normalized this kind of language has become, but I really wish it wasn't so, and that we could do better.
In addition, the whole police issue is, well...
Whilst Michelle’s life could hardly differ more from my own, I still found myself relating more and more to her character and her feelings as the story progress. The feelings of fear, doubt, guilt, and despair are all far too familiar; the feeling that time is running out, of having to do something, but not quite knowing how to start, and how to proceed. I’d be lying if I said my eyes stayed dry throughout.
The book is set for release on the 31st of October.
The book tells of "Mick Mullins", the 15 year old youngest child of two cop parents. As a notorious good kid, Mich is constantly pointed out as a very well behaved boy by family and friends, and grandfather alike - the perfect son. The thing is though, Mich is a girl, and her name is Michelle.
We follow Mich's first person narrative through a warm summer holiday between sophomore and junior year of high school, visiting grandfather Mick in his nursing home and clearing out his old home. We follow Michelle through the same summer, as she becomes increasingly aware of the fact that her time is running out. Puberty is well away, and every day brings her closer to irreversible strides towards "manhood" she would rather be without.
What I will say, is that overall, I honestly really liked the book. Michelle's hopes and fears for her future and fore her life; the issues and obstacles that are either brought up, or that she has to work through her self; the reactions she faces when people learn of her truth, both good and bad. Most of all I loved the ending - spoiler allert, it's a happy one.
Concidering the world we live in, writing a book about trans stories that is happy yet true can be difficult, but I feel Nina Rossing did good. Her story manages to maintain a ballance between good and bad, whilst focusing, for the most part, on the positive. It doesn't ignore or overlook the problems one can face as a trans person, but for most part the focus remains on Michelle's life, her sister, her parents, and the friends that stick around.
I was bothered by the rather ableist language that popped up at times - presented as angry or insulting dialogue, for reasons and in ways kids really do use them, but still there, and still, possibly and probably, hurtful for for people affected by them. I am well aware of how normalized this kind of language has become, but I really wish it wasn't so, and that we could do better.
In addition, the whole police issue is, well...
Whilst Michelle’s life could hardly differ more from my own, I still found myself relating more and more to her character and her feelings as the story progress. The feelings of fear, doubt, guilt, and despair are all far too familiar; the feeling that time is running out, of having to do something, but not quite knowing how to start, and how to proceed. I’d be lying if I said my eyes stayed dry throughout.
The book is set for release on the 31st of October.
November 7, 2017
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
This story touches on many important and hard topics but it didn’t feel overstuffed. Nina Rossing did an amazing job in creating a well rounded story about a transgender teen that showed all the problems and hardships that come with coming to terms with being transgender but still show happiness and hope.
Definitely a book people should read to better understand Transgender teenagers.
This story touches on many important and hard topics but it didn’t feel overstuffed. Nina Rossing did an amazing job in creating a well rounded story about a transgender teen that showed all the problems and hardships that come with coming to terms with being transgender but still show happiness and hope.
Definitely a book people should read to better understand Transgender teenagers.
April 17, 2018
This book was so many shades of amazing <3 and perfect timing to have read it so soon after having seen Love Simon!
July 5, 2019
Genre: realistic fiction, YA
1 LGBTQ main character: trans woman
Importance of identity to plot: 5/5
Romance: 2/5
Coming out: yes
Notes: TW transphobia from friends and family
1 LGBTQ main character: trans woman
Importance of identity to plot: 5/5
Romance: 2/5
Coming out: yes
Notes: TW transphobia from friends and family
naaaaaaaaah
June 22, 2018I am always on the look out for trans fiction and so far the reviews seems good.
July 20, 2018
What a lovely, wonderful and important book for teens! This book was filled with a wonderful family, good friendships and a new voice to a coming of age story. Being inside the thought of a trans teen was so different and I believe so important for teen readers. The fears and the feelings were so well written that I felt like I knew Mick/Michelle myself. If the topic seems scary or uninteresting to you as a reader, please give this book a try anyway. You will come away understanding that a trans teen is really just a teen with a different story to tell. I thank the author for this Beautiful and important book.
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