Alex

The Bradford McKinley Chronicles #1

by Zoe Storm

By all accounts, Xander's life is pretty great. His family is loving, his best friend would go to the ends of the Earth for him, and he's doing well at school and sports.

And yet... ever since he was very young, he has felt as if there was something missing in his life. Sometimes he feels empty inside, without knowing why.

When his coworker dresses him up in her clothes, just for fun, he has the chance to find out.

Alex is the story of a young trans woman's self-discovery and her journey of accepting her identity, and finding out a few things about herself and those around her along the way.

Genres: Transgender, LGBT, Queer, Fiction

163 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 8, 2022

Reviews

[Aster]

Alex is a novella where a young trans girl gets her egg cracked so hard it launches a sequence of events where she comes out to herself and gets access to gender affirming care. Everyone around her accepts her coming out and there's no transphobic drama (there's one scene with some assholes). And you know what? It feels good. This a trans coming out story where everyone is happy and I think we deserve to read about that.

Also damn Lexi is speedrunning that transition, you go girl!

[Alice Mayeux]

Fun trans story.

[Bigbootyreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the series backwards haha. The second and third were more exciting but this was just chill and cozy. Amazing work Zoe Storm.

[Cecilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

i loved every one of the 5 stories, finally one who can write YA about trans girls, want more 😭

[Nia · Rating 4 out of 5]

We love a supportive sister who figured stuff out way earlier and lends a guiding hand. Accompanying Alex on her journey to find her true self, while finding unexpected large support and acceptance among her peers. And of course this journey is joined by a cute friends to lovers trope.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simply a positive story of a trans girl’s experience discovering herself and coming out. It’s basic, but it’s nice

[Issy Waldrom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and sweet and filled with trans feels, this story was a great read. Yes, perhaps, there isn't a lot of negativity in it, a rose tinted view of what it can be like, but that isn't a bad thing. Positivity and success is something that we all need, and this good is just good, a solid example of Zoe's brilliant writing.

[Reader of Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

A trans story where (almost) everyone is kind and supportive and accepting? Yes, please. We deserve happy stories! This was a joy to read, and Lexi and her sister and friends were wonderful.

[Littlebookterror]

A novella about an uplifting and idealistic tale about a protaginst realizing she is a trans woman. Xander has never paid much attention to his body or his internal self until he has to switch his dirty waiter clothes with a female coworker and has some big revelations along the way.
It's a comforting story where Lexi has luck - with understanding coworkers, a good therapist, helpful sisters and bosses, stand-up friends and accepting parents. Aside from one bully (more on that later), we have her experience anxiety and indecision but all the space to allow for herself to go at her own pace.
I also think the story does a great job of showing how Lexi was already experiencing dysphoria and euphoria in those little moments without giving her an immediate switch into realizing she is trans.


The tonal shift in the last chapter took me a bit aback. I think it's one thing to have a bigoted character in your story but Charlie turning out to be date raping women and for Lexi almost being his latest attempt felt - overly dramatic? Like it does not fit into the atmosphere and themes the novella focuses on and just a reason for Roger to confess his love in the third act.
Which, I am not a huge fan of friends-to-lovers in the first place and I found that the romantic element came out of nowhere...

And the other thing I did not like is how the parents assumed she might be trans but never attempted to even talk about gender as a whole to their children? I understand the mother had a bad experience with her sister but if the truly were so sure Lexi was trans, why not have an open talk about your trans aunt and gender identities? You don't have to tell your kid "you are trans btw" but you can offer the space for them to explore and be aware of the options.

[Charlotte Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall: A relatable trans experience. With a good romance to go along the way

I loved Alex's story, their journey and their life.
The story also set the setting for the whole Bradford McKinley universe, in which I read all the stories (and they're all good)

This book takes you into a hard trip through gender. It's hard, but the end is worth it.

[Ryleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a very basic egg cracking story but that's not a bad thing. Definitely hits me in the feels. Plus the cast is very supportive, which as many of us trans people can tell you is very very appreciated.