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Red Ribbons: A Transgender Romance
Robbie had never asked to become a girl, he had only agreed to help his mother start her sewing business. After all, the family was destitute after the death of his father. But, everything had spiraled out of control. Now he was standing in his tightest girdle and highest heels, staring at the prom gown that barely covered the budding mounds on his chest. How had he ever agreed to go on a date, and with Moose Hanahan, the crudest kid in town, even if he was the largest fullback in school history. Oh, God! That was the doorbell. Moose Hanahan was already there! Jillian Allen, author of SYMPHONY IN PINK ( B075B3XPZH) once again delves deeply into the myriad ramifications of being male or female, of being a loving husband, or an obedient wife. Join Robbie as he struggles to transform from a directionless teen to Ruby, a successful young fashion designer, and from a clueless boy into a talented young lady. Do clothes make the man…, or the woman? Return to a gentler time when boys were boys and girls were girls and never the twain were to meet. But also a time when any change from the norm was considered immoral if not illegal, when a boy in a dress was to be bullied if not despised. Today, we have the term transgender to cover anyone in the wide spectrum between all male and all female, preteens are encouraged to have an active sex life and taught that anything is acceptable, but life in Robbie’s time was far different. Red Ribbons is a testament to a time long gone, but also a tribute to the universal quest for love in a cruel world. Set in the late fifties during the golden age of girdles, fast convertibles and cute carhops on skates, Red Ribbons weaves between the charm of a love story and the gripping drama of changing gender while growing up. Red Ribbons is appropriate for teens and above, and is a loving investigation into the intertwined phenomena we call gender and sex.
367 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 17, 2017
48 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 20, 2018
Wonderful!
This is a mesmerizing story that kept me reading non-stop from beginning to end. Born male, raised by an aunt until age three, then returned to his birth parents, Robbie joins two older brothers. Approaching puberty, Robbie's mother starts taking him to the family doctor who begins administering regular injections. His body starts changing, as well as his emotions. Everyone in the family starts treating him differently. The characters are well developed and the storyline flows from the pages and right into your heart. The struggle of coming to terms with who one is as a person, and of one's self-worth, is something many people have in common. If you can overlook grammatical/typographical errors, this book belongs on your must read list.
This is a mesmerizing story that kept me reading non-stop from beginning to end. Born male, raised by an aunt until age three, then returned to his birth parents, Robbie joins two older brothers. Approaching puberty, Robbie's mother starts taking him to the family doctor who begins administering regular injections. His body starts changing, as well as his emotions. Everyone in the family starts treating him differently. The characters are well developed and the storyline flows from the pages and right into your heart. The struggle of coming to terms with who one is as a person, and of one's self-worth, is something many people have in common. If you can overlook grammatical/typographical errors, this book belongs on your must read list.
July 10, 2021
Tragic
I think this could go under psychological romance, if that's a thing. I couldn't read it fast enough, but it wasn't happy much. Mostly tragic. The writing style was good; just have to overlook the typos. It was definitely different than anything I have read. Also makes me thankful I don't have to wear a girdle.
I think this could go under psychological romance, if that's a thing. I couldn't read it fast enough, but it wasn't happy much. Mostly tragic. The writing style was good; just have to overlook the typos. It was definitely different than anything I have read. Also makes me thankful I don't have to wear a girdle.
March 20, 2023
Is it a boy or a girl.
One of the best stories I have ever read I read a great deal and many stories get too drawn at times and I cannot finish them quickly enough to find a new story to read. This story did get read all through and I was sad it was over. Yes there is sex in it, but never offensive, just written lovingly. A great story
One of the best stories I have ever read I read a great deal and many stories get too drawn at times and I cannot finish them quickly enough to find a new story to read. This story did get read all through and I was sad it was over. Yes there is sex in it, but never offensive, just written lovingly. A great story
January 13, 2024
Ms Allen writes beautiful stories
Robert/Ruby faces rejection from his birth. He/she finds love and exceptance from his aunt Momma Jean, and eventually from his birth mother Pamela.
As a reader I wanted to pick him up and shake him. My heart bled for him. Her trials, the hate, rejection, the evilness of the school bullies was so despicable I wanted to end them.
Robert/Ruby faces rejection from his birth. He/she finds love and exceptance from his aunt Momma Jean, and eventually from his birth mother Pamela.
As a reader I wanted to pick him up and shake him. My heart bled for him. Her trials, the hate, rejection, the evilness of the school bullies was so despicable I wanted to end them.
March 14, 2024
An intriguing Tale
I enjoyed the smooth narrative. It seems to reflect the authors personal experience which I also enjoyed. Tendrils of foreshadow lead to a subtle yet expected twist and a lovely ending.
I enjoyed the smooth narrative. It seems to reflect the authors personal experience which I also enjoyed. Tendrils of foreshadow lead to a subtle yet expected twist and a lovely ending.
January 29, 2026
I didn't expect the ending
This was dear to me , I didn't expect the ending and I am so so so happy with how it's ended
Definitely worth the read ! Flew through the pages ..
Cried a lot , gasped and laughed ! Written amazingly
This was dear to me , I didn't expect the ending and I am so so so happy with how it's ended
Definitely worth the read ! Flew through the pages ..
Cried a lot , gasped and laughed ! Written amazingly
May 26, 2021
Great writing, great characters
I read the first book and the second was great also. Their struggles are visceral and deeply touching. I enjoyed this a lot. Great writing
I read the first book and the second was great also. Their struggles are visceral and deeply touching. I enjoyed this a lot. Great writing
October 9, 2021
Great Story
Couldn’t put it down once I started. Highly recommend it to anyone interested in transgender romance. Again a great read.
Couldn’t put it down once I started. Highly recommend it to anyone interested in transgender romance. Again a great read.
April 17, 2017
A full life
Robbie had a really difficult life and, after becoming Ruby, life was still hard and troubled. A really interesting story about a rather dysfunctional family.
Robbie had a really difficult life and, after becoming Ruby, life was still hard and troubled. A really interesting story about a rather dysfunctional family.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews