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Frills
Larry a bullied sophomore in High School finds two new friends in his Home Ec. class. Together the boy and two girls design costumes in anime maid style and provide treats for a booth at the mall. The trio discover a real knack for treat-making and win over not only their school, but also the town in a sweet coming of age story.
- GenresTransgenderYoung Adult
930 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 24, 2016
51 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
December 28, 2022
It's very hard to believe this edition's 2016 publishing date. Everything about this book screams a much older mode of transgender literature, where writers packed their stories with old-fashioned feminine minutiae (which was old-fashioned by the 1960s, let alone the 2000s) because it was a means to communicate to transgender readers in the 1990s and early 2000s several important pieces of information about the procedurals of transitioning: You had to be traditionally feminine, you had to care about things very few people actually cared about, you had to be as young as possible (20 or under, preferably as close to 18 as possible) and you had to give not even a whiff of bisexuality or lesbianism. Those things, if not presented under the pre-2003 Harry Benjamin Standards of Care, would ruin your chances of getting access to hormones, surgery, and documentation changes.
This book falls into that genre, effectively acting as a historical instruction manual for transitioners to the bad old days. For it to be (self-)published after Imogen Binnie's fantastic 2014 debut novel Nevada pushed the boundaries of what trans fiction meant or could mean feels like a throwback, and not in a good way.
This book falls into that genre, effectively acting as a historical instruction manual for transitioners to the bad old days. For it to be (self-)published after Imogen Binnie's fantastic 2014 debut novel Nevada pushed the boundaries of what trans fiction meant or could mean feels like a throwback, and not in a good way.
July 14, 2016
Long and drawn out
The author took what should have been a good plot and drug it out to where it became tedious. Things in the story were repeated over and over again where I almost gave up.
The author took what should have been a good plot and drug it out to where it became tedious. Things in the story were repeated over and over again where I almost gave up.
July 31, 2016
Charming
A delightful book with a lot of charm, this coming of age story is substantial in length while remaining entertaining throughout. It definitely has similarities in tone to a Karin Bishop novel, in a good way. One of the better examples of this genre, and well worth the read.
A delightful book with a lot of charm, this coming of age story is substantial in length while remaining entertaining throughout. It definitely has similarities in tone to a Karin Bishop novel, in a good way. One of the better examples of this genre, and well worth the read.
September 25, 2016
Anyone who has been bullied should read this
Excellent read a out a girl that didn't start out that way overcoming much with the help of a wonderful soul, friends, family and love
Excellent read a out a girl that didn't start out that way overcoming much with the help of a wonderful soul, friends, family and love
May 18, 2020
WOW
I finished reading a rather long Kindle book last night, well, actually really early this morning. It took days but had a certain addiction that kept me reading until my dang eyes were watering which, for some reason, they do a lot of when I read too long... yet another wonderful benefit of aging!
It's not for everyone since the main character is transgender but I enjoyed the story. Wordy, though. And, if you're wondering, no blatant sexual content - not the point of the book. Rather a winding thread about bullying, growth, heritage, family, acceptance and love.
Well worth the time, in my opinion.
I finished reading a rather long Kindle book last night, well, actually really early this morning. It took days but had a certain addiction that kept me reading until my dang eyes were watering which, for some reason, they do a lot of when I read too long... yet another wonderful benefit of aging!
It's not for everyone since the main character is transgender but I enjoyed the story. Wordy, though. And, if you're wondering, no blatant sexual content - not the point of the book. Rather a winding thread about bullying, growth, heritage, family, acceptance and love.
Well worth the time, in my opinion.
September 17, 2020
A story that is worth five stars let down by poor readability and editing.
Frills looks at both the good and bad of being a t-girl as it follows Lawrence Bekins into her new life as Lana. Lawrence had spent his freshman year being bullied for no reason and it had become so bad that the bullying almost turned into murder on more than one occasion. When circumstances give him the opportunity to become Lana she grabs it with both hands and becomes one of the schools hottest properties.
This is a great story with believable characters and a varying plot line. Well worth a read, but it will take patience at times to work out what the editor has done.
Frills looks at both the good and bad of being a t-girl as it follows Lawrence Bekins into her new life as Lana. Lawrence had spent his freshman year being bullied for no reason and it had become so bad that the bullying almost turned into murder on more than one occasion. When circumstances give him the opportunity to become Lana she grabs it with both hands and becomes one of the schools hottest properties.
This is a great story with believable characters and a varying plot line. Well worth a read, but it will take patience at times to work out what the editor has done.
February 9, 2020
Long, but worth it.
I generally enjoy reading books about transgender people, and chose this one because of its premise. That I enjoyed another title th same author proved to add additional incentive. Like usual this book made me laugh, and in some cases, cry.However I do feel that this book could have been cut down by a few hundred words and still come out just as excellent as it is now. Still, it is a great read and a great addition to anyone's library.
I generally enjoy reading books about transgender people, and chose this one because of its premise. That I enjoyed another title th same author proved to add additional incentive. Like usual this book made me laugh, and in some cases, cry.However I do feel that this book could have been cut down by a few hundred words and still come out just as excellent as it is now. Still, it is a great read and a great addition to anyone's library.
Read
September 3, 2024This is an entertaining book, but there is much that is repetitive. It could be shortened to good effect. The transgender element is sympathetically done, although the transformation is almost unbelievably perfect.
The character development is good on the whole but many of the secondary characters are a bit 2-dimensional.
I can recommend the book to anyone wanting a TG themed book with a lot to get your teeth into.
The character development is good on the whole but many of the secondary characters are a bit 2-dimensional.
I can recommend the book to anyone wanting a TG themed book with a lot to get your teeth into.
July 31, 2023
Good the second time
I enjoyed reading this story a second time. Liked all your stories here
and on BC. Will be waiting for more stories. I also liked the ones you did with Jessie Wolf. Keep up the great story telling.
I enjoyed reading this story a second time. Liked all your stories here
and on BC. Will be waiting for more stories. I also liked the ones you did with Jessie Wolf. Keep up the great story telling.
January 19, 2021
Very good read
I enjoyed this book very much. It was informational as well as very entertaining. One of the better books that i’ve read in a long time.
I enjoyed this book very much. It was informational as well as very entertaining. One of the better books that i’ve read in a long time.
May 2, 2024
A unique tale
This is wonderful read with a series of layers. It will keep you engaged for many hours. I encourage reading g it as it is a standout story.
This is wonderful read with a series of layers. It will keep you engaged for many hours. I encourage reading g it as it is a standout story.
February 1, 2025
Detailed Halloweens' tale of sweetness and love. High school bullies take it way too far. A true coming-of-age transformation story. Borrow using Kindle Unlimited. Read Kindle book using Alexa audio asset.
July 11, 2016
Coming to this having enjoyed the author's previous book The Pom Pom Fortress I was hoping it would be as good. I wasn't disappointed.
Larry was a boy so tormented at school that he did his very best to become invisible. Everything changed after he and too girl's were selected to run the school stall at Halloween. Larry was hidden in plain sight as Lara. That was the birth of the Frills Girls as they began a jouney that revitalised a town. A lt of what goes on is rather quaint and old-fashioned. Some scenes are troubling, but the whole journey is a delight.
Larry was a boy so tormented at school that he did his very best to become invisible. Everything changed after he and too girl's were selected to run the school stall at Halloween. Larry was hidden in plain sight as Lara. That was the birth of the Frills Girls as they began a jouney that revitalised a town. A lt of what goes on is rather quaint and old-fashioned. Some scenes are troubling, but the whole journey is a delight.
August 3, 2019
Disappointing
Let me start out by saying that since I transitioned almost 50 yrs ago my interest in this book is primarily in the plot & branches related to gender issues and not so much in high school Home Ec or Business.
That said, the first 20% of "Frills" started out so great ... then the following 60% pretty much continued to keep my interest ... but sadly it felt like the author ran out of interest in the final 20% of the book and in the end just left way too many plot branchs hanging incomplete. Makes one wonder whether there will be a Volume 2 ?
Let me start out by saying that since I transitioned almost 50 yrs ago my interest in this book is primarily in the plot & branches related to gender issues and not so much in high school Home Ec or Business.
That said, the first 20% of "Frills" started out so great ... then the following 60% pretty much continued to keep my interest ... but sadly it felt like the author ran out of interest in the final 20% of the book and in the end just left way too many plot branchs hanging incomplete. Makes one wonder whether there will be a Volume 2 ?
January 17, 2020
I've read this story several times... Is it a great work of TG fiction? No. But it is a really sweet story that I have come back to over and over. every time I read it I start baking new and yummy things. The story does slow at points but I cared about the progression of the characters and what happens in their lives. This book has become what I call a "palate cleanser" for me. I'll read the story along with several others (one also by Alecia Snowfall) when I am not sure what I want to read or while I am looking for a new book to read.
August 9, 2020
After reading this for the eighth time, I still want more.
I recommend this book for any girl or boy in sixth grade and up to those youngsters in their 90s+. There is a message in this book, one that would make life so much better for so many.
Good job Alecia, I can hardly wait for your next story.
I recommend this book for any girl or boy in sixth grade and up to those youngsters in their 90s+. There is a message in this book, one that would make life so much better for so many.
Good job Alecia, I can hardly wait for your next story.
February 16, 2021
Have just finished this for the 3rd time, will read it again and again, it makes you laugh at the antics of some of the residents of Grove Town, it also makes you question your own thoughts and feelings a great read
October 10, 2025
i just love the book started reading it on kindle already fot the 10th time can't put it down
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews