3.50 Stars. A very cute YA story. I’ve been having really good luck with YA lately so it has become one of my main go to categories to read. The rep has been great in them and that is something I felt like I wasn’t always getting enough of in some adult books. I was excited that this was a romance between a character coming to terms with being non-binary, and another character who is a lesbian. This ended up being a very sweet read, but it didn’t quite have the depth I was personally looking for. I do think it’s one of those books I would have loved as a teenager and I think it is one that should be in high school libraries.

This book has a lot of nice things going about it. It has nice main characters, nice secondary characters, nice storylines, and a nice pace that kept me reading the book. All that is good and I liked what I read, the problem was that there was no pop or spark, nothing that really gripped me and forced me to keep reading. I’m someone that loves YA to have a ton of emotions and really pull on my heart strings, but I can do sweet too. However, If the book is more on the adorable side, I still need something to take it to that next level, but this stayed very on the surface for me. I didn’t feel like we had a deep dive into the characters or their issues they had to overcome.

One slight issue for me is that it seemed like this book felt a little dated. When I say little, I mean little as in if this took place even 5 years ago, I think everything in it would have fit better. Everything felt just a tad off for 2022 standards –like the whole Tumblr thing-. I did think the Con and fan-fic writing storyline, vs a pageant was a good idea for a story. I believe people who are big fan-fic fans will definitely get a kick out of it.

TLDR: I would suggest this book for people wanting YA books that are low in angst and are very cute. If you are looking for something deep and emotional, this is not the book for you. This book is good for what it is, but it’s stuck in the “perfectly nice” category for me. If I had this book as a teenager, I think I would have loved it.

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC of this!

I love all things nerdy and fandom, and when I saw this queer mash up of fandom and pageant, I knew I had to read it. This was an easy, happy sort of read - not a lot of drama, and plenty of sweetness. I loved the friend groups and the peek into where different interests overlap in ways you wouldn’t maybe expect. Definitely recommend if you’re a fan of books set at conventions, if you want to see more non-binary characters, or if you want a sweet, sapphic, love story.

Y'all, I loved this book. Just loved it. I wish I could get into a time machine and go back and give it to my 22-year-old self.

The premise has some traditional romcom elements. Teagen is a beauty queen (literally) who desperately needs her pageant winnings to pay for college. She's also a secret supernerd. Kay is a rising star in the fan-fic world who aspires to be a published author, but who can't pursue their passions in their super-conservative, close-minded hometown. The two of them meet and flirting + hilarity and hijinks + a big misunderstanding + feeeeelings? ensue. Adorable. Except, oh yeah - Teagen is in the closet to everyone except her dad and her closest friend because gay + pageants don't mix, and Kay is exploring their gender and sexuality and seriously being bullied at school. Dude.

One of my favorite things about YA is the books can take big/nebulous/scary/complicated issues and turn them into very tangible scenarios. I sincerely hope authors do this on purpose - write books with big themes in digestible ways to give young people a dang lifeline. Because it's awesome. This book is awesome. The characters are smart and believable, there are awesome friendships that have nothing to do with romance, and nerds! Beauty queens! A thoughtful discussion of feminism (and *uses the word*)! An exploration of gender and sexuality (and they! are! different!) Just amazing.

Seriously, if you love romcoms, read this book. If you appreciate queer representation, read this book. If you're into fandoms and cons and any of those things, read this book. Just - read this book.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Wednesday Books, and the author, for access to this awesome title in exchange for my honest review.

When a gay beauty queen and nonbinary fanfic writer meet cute at convention, they start expressing their authentic selves for the first time and have to decide whether they'll be able to continue living that truth when the convention ends and they're back to their regular lives.

From the first page, I knew this book would be soaring to the top of my recommended YA RomComs list! The protagonists immediately hook readers with the authentic, heartfelt, and hilarious voices that England so excels at capturing--in their speculative works as well as this new contemporary novel. Through the escapist environment of a fandom convention, England provides a space for their characters to explore their identities, a common experience for all teens at Cons but especially powerful for queer teens who are infrequently surrounded by such an inclusive and accepting crowd. Yet this book is more than the story of queer teens finding love and acceptance (although that is absolutely part of it). England does not shy away from the thornier questions of identity and the blind spots and prejudices that their protagonists have toward one another and themselves. This is a book for the teen who isn't sure whether it's safe to come out in their community; the teen who isn't sure whether they're queer; the teen who isn't sure what pronouns fit them best--and how on earth to communicate that to others. And this is a book for all readers, queer or straight, enby or cis, who are ready to laugh, fall in love with two incredible people, and be inspired to work a little harder on their own prejudices and accepting the people in their lives. I highly recommend this to all YA Contemporary readers. Though it is targeted at a high school audience, it will be accessible to mature middle schoolers as well.

A phenomenally thoughtful read that I devoured in one sitting. It's a well-told story that brings a fresh perspective to two different passions and also allows us to thoughtfully explore individual development. I couldn't put it down and can't wait to read more from this author!

This book is definitely not written for my demographic; 40ish, hetero, female. While that's the case I requested this book because I want to learn about people who are trying to find themselves and discover their sexuality. What better way to learn than to immerse yourself in a good book.

I know this took place over one weekend but the pacing felt a little rushed. I didn't really connect to the characters much and at times they came off judge-y.

Overall this is a good read and I figure this will have a big following that it well deserves.

**Received ARC through NetGalley. Voluntarily reviewed **

Thanks to Wednesday Books, St Martin's Press, and NetGalley for an ARC of The One True Me and You in exchange for my honest opinion.
This book was so sweet! A teen beauty pageant and a fandom convention are set at the same Orlando hotel. Teagan has been hiding her sexuality to maintain her “wholesome” image as she competes in the pageant world to earn much-needed scholarship money for college. Teagan is also a huge nerd for everything GreatCon and did not realize it would be at the same hotel! Kay, an up-and-coming fanfic author, is anxious to introduce themself with they/them pronouns at GreatCon. The two meet and have incredible chemistry as they attempt to navigate the pageant and GreatCon events and beyond.
The book is nerdy and queer and FUN to read. The type of search for identity and belonging that everyone should read, this book will definitely be added to my school library! It comes out Tuesday, 3/1. Books like this distract me from the awful anti-LGBTQ laws/decisions happening in TX and FL and give me hope that this book ends up in the hands of everyone who needs it. ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🤎🖤🤍🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Thanks to Wednesday Books (via NetGalley) for the ARC!

4.5 stars

Content warnings: [spoiler]homophobia/transphobia; death of a parent by suicide (past, recounted); public outing; gender dysphoria (mild, some triggered by parental comments)[/spoiler]

I went into this book knowing absolutely nothing about it. I didn’t even read the description before I requested it from NetGalley. I just heard it was gay, saw the cover had rainbows and bright colors all over it, and that was enough for me to be interested in reading it.

However. When I first started this book and found out the main characters Teagan and Kay were very solidly into beauty pageants and the Sherlock Holmes fandom respectively, two things I have absolutely ZERO interest in myself, I started to tread lightly and lower my expectations.

HOWEVER AGAIN! Despite having no interest in either of those things, I was so pulled in by the characters and their individual journeys that I read 68% of the book in one evening. I even read through most of a hockey game that I was totally planning on watching. What I found throughout this book was a love letter to fandom, queer identity, and the community you can find in both of those things.

Both Kay and Teagan are struggling with some typical and not-so-typical teenage things and happen to meet each other at a hotel one weekend. Kay, a prolific fan fiction writer, is there for a Sherlock Holmes fan convention with friends and is determined to try to feel more comfortable in their own skin for once instead of being forced to hide their identity like they do at home (and also maybe figure out what exactly that identity is?). Teagan is in the same place for the national Miss Cosmic Teen beauty pageant, where she is in the top five favorites to win. She’s been doing beauty pageants ever since her mom died as a way to earn money for college, and she loves them, but the fact that she has to hide that she’s a lesbian is really starting to wear on her. She also doesn’t really like that she has to hide the whole nerdy Sherlock-obsessed side of her personality.

The two meet at a late-night party hosted by the Sherlock con when Teagan sneaks out of her hotel room (and away from the eyes of the ever-vigilant pageant group moms) and they immediately hit it off leading to a weekend that changes both of their lives.

Teagan and Kay are both messy teenagers, but in completely different ways, which I really liked. They feel like they have to hide really important parts of themselves from people in order to be accepted, Kay by the people in their hometown, and Teagan by the people in her pageant community. Their growth as they get to know each other and introduce each other to their worlds is really great to watch, especially as each of them realizes and overcomes their judgments and preconceived notions of the other’s interests. Kay judges beauty pageants very harshly at first, and Teagan, while thinking herself fairly open-minded, realizes she harbors some prejudices about the people who take part in fan conventions, even though she is a fan herself.

The relationship between Kay and Teagan is really sweet as well. Despite the whole book taking place over a long weekend, it didn’t feel rushed or unnatural to me. They’re both teenagers, and when you’re that age, feelings are intense. Things can happen quickly and sometimes you just want to follow your heart. Plus, the fact that they don’t live in the same state gave the relationship a sense of urgency.

I’m putting this next part under a spoiler because I included a quote (and technically you’re not supposed to quote ARCs), but this part really stuck with me (and made me cry):

[spoiler]Kay questions why it’s so hard for them to figure out their gender and sexuality when they’re in such an affirming environment (fandom) where so many people are queer and knowledgeable about those things, and I LOVED Teagan’s response so much: “It’s difficult because no matter how open fandom is, the rest of the world isn’t like that. Some places less so than others. What we learn about ourselves in fandom has implications for who we are to the rest of the world, too. Our entire selves, not just our internet selves. And I think, no matter what the particular issue is, it’s always hard to accept big things about yourself.”[/spoiler]

This review is already a lot longer than I planned it to be, but I really liked this book, a lot more than I was expecting. I finished reading it in less than two days, which is impressive considering how long it’s taken me to finish books lately (even though this one is under 300 pages). I definitely recommend it, especially to anyone who has spent any time in fandom or trying to figure out their identity, because it really struck some chords with me.

The One True Me and You was a fun read while on vacation. Pageant queen falling in love with a non-binary writer? I loved it, and it felt like a new story that I haven't heard over and over again.

This book was medium paced and made be feel the feelings!

The One True Me and You by Remi K. England is a coming-of-age story for the 21st century. I loved that the main characters, Kay and Teagan, are on their journey to embrace their authentic selves and gain the courage to share that self with the world. I also loved the juxtaposition of the worlds they are doing it in – the pageant world and the world of fandom. These very different worlds offer so much to the story and the reader. Teagan and Kaylee share their journeys through 1st person narration in alternate chapters, which gives the tale a more personal feeling than one written in 3rd person. The author reflected, in the Acknowledgements, that The One True Me and You is closer to her heart than any of her other books because of her own experiences as a nonbinary teen. The 1st person narration creates a story where I could understand Kaylee’s truth the way England would have appreciated, especially as a teen. I also loved the theme that threads itself through the story of, “Feminism is supporting women in their choice.” No matter what those choices are – whether it be the pageant circuit, the sports arena, or the many things in between – feminism is about building women up, not tearing them down. There is so much to learn and take away from this story, especially for the teens who are the intended audience, that I feel confident in recommending it to all who would dare to become more enlightened by this modern age tale.

Absolutely loved it! The exploration of identity and representation is so beautiful and well done, and I loved the Miss Congeniality vibes. So enjoyable.

Remi K. England hits patriarchal ideas right in its butt with The One True Me And You.

I always find it amazing that even with a group that is marginalized how they then marginalize others without realizing it. England’s story is a prime example of this type of behavior and it is so great to read about it and now talk about it. I have heard negative comments about pageantry for a long time. I have never participated, but I did watch a couple of documentaries and the hard work that goes into entering over and over again is huge. Never mind the emotional abuse taken by misogynist judges and attendees that they are then subjected to during the whole process. England gives these humans credit and shares their stories in a way that isn’t patronizing. Love it.

The same negative connotations are spoken about in regards to cosplay. I have only recently started to learn about it and damn to make your costumes and then have the guts to go out there and own it. Yeah, I am all for that. England showcases the camaraderie within this group, but also lets humans be humans and sometimes that means jerks.

“(I)t’s just how brains work. We put people into categories without thinking. I still do it, too, and I’m the one questioning my gender on a daily basis. It takes a lot of work to unlearn that reflex.” (Kay, Loc 715)

I love how The One True Me And You unfolds and evolves. Teagan and Kay are on different journeys yet on the same one. Both characters are young people just trying to exist in a world that is full of judgment. I love the supporting characters and how they prove that great friendships can exist even if they start online. There is a “mean girl” but I wonder if there is something more behind it as we never get to learn her motive. I have met some really homophobic people and later they have come out of the closet. Soooo…hint, hint, hint. (chuckle)

England has created a diverse cast. I think a good portion of the rainbow is represented, plus outside of it. I don’t remember reading any disabled characters, but they are at a cosplay convention so there had to be someone.

As I was typing the above paragraph, Teagan and Kay’s first kiss popped into my head. Oh yeah, I bookmarked it. It’s a first kiss to write about again and again. I think Kay thinks so too. (chuckle)

“I just made out with a girl. I, for the first time ever, had a girl’s tongue in my mouth and her legs between mine. God, it was fantastic.” (Kay, 1644)

I highly recommend this book. I love the journeys of both Teagan and Kay. This is an area (pageants) that I don’t read too much about so it comes across as really fresh. The sweet and clean romance of Teagan and Kay is a huge plus. I just love everything about this story. The One True You And Me is a keeper.

Teagan and Kay come from two seemingly different worlds. Teagan is a pageant girl through and through, but also has hidden roots within the fandom of a Sherlock Holmes show fandom. Kay, on the other hand, is fully submerged in the fandom culture as a fanfiction writer who is struggling to come to terms with their identity and their place in the fandom. As they both converge at the same place for a pageant competition and convention venue, will these two discover that being oneself will prevail all? Or will their differences drive them apart?

I absolutely loved this story! First off, I myself am a fanfiction writer for various other fandoms not book related. Seeing myself represented in that way through Kay really warmed my heart, and every word about fandoms felt like it was for me, and as a result, really made me feel like home. I cannot really speak on the pageant side of things, however, as I never have done pageants, but I think it really helped display the ups and downs of pageant life and how strict everything has to be. Although I wouldn't be surprised if the curfew hunter moms were dramatized a little bit.

The characters absolutely sell this story. I loved Teagan despite her flaws at the beginning, and loved Kay even more! I will admit that Kay at the beginning was a bit rough for me because of how harsh their judgement was of Teagan's pageant background and lifestyle. It was hard to read through, but I think they eventually mellow to it. One downside to this story for me was the big argument at the end, and while it ends mostly happy, Jess - Teagan's best friend in the pageant - admits to Teagan that it's hard to immediately forgive what Kay had said, which I absolutely agree. While there was a promise of "we'll still keep it in mind but move past what was said" didn't really rub me the best way.

The setting was also perfect! I've been to a few conventions myself and the energy that panels and other people in fandom exert was exhilarating, even from me reading about it on the page. It was like I was back to BookCon (when it was still a thing) and living my best life among people who really care about books. You can tell that these people really care about their fandom and what makes it home for them. I do wish that this story also highlighted some of the negative sides of fandom a bit more, but that's a minor thing.

The One True Me and You is a love letter to fandoms and the fans that compose it. In a book full of queer love and shared compassion, this story will have you hugging it by the very end.

I received a copy of this book from both NetGalley and Wednesday Books. Any and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you @wednesdaybooks for a copy of this book. This was a great coming of age book that explores teens understanding themselves and sexuality. I liked the colliding of 2 unlikely worlds of fanfic and beauty pageants. I enjoyed seeing the growth between Kay and Tea and how they became fast friends over the weekend.

This was such a fun novel with great characters.
Once I picked this up., I was instantly invested and wanted to keep going.

I received a copy of this from the publisher in exchange for fair and honest review.

There is a slew of trigger warnings for this one. I’m not going to list them all but look them up before you pick this one up. That being said this was an interesting, emotional and I think everyone should read it!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the eGalley. All opinions are my own.

Teagan needs to come in first in the Miss Cosmic Teen USA pageant: the prize money would complete years of work on the beauty circuit and would allow her to pay for college where she can come out and live as her true self. The same Orlando hotel is also hosting a con for fans of The Great Game, a Sherlock Holmes remake with a dedicated fandom. That’s where Kaylee, a talented writer of fanfic, is competing to be published in a book of short stories and in the accepting atmosphere of the con, is hoping to find some answers to her confusion about her own relationship preferences that she cannot explore in her gossipy, insular hometown. Told in strongly voiced alternating chapters, Teagan and Kaylee concoct a budding romance while finding courage to be their more authentic selves in real life. The author does an especially good job of showing the value of both Kaylee’s and Teagan’s choices.

Kaylee and Teagan are both struggling with embracing who they are. Kaylee is uncertain of their identity and they long to try out the new pronouns they/them. And test the waters by kissing a girl. Teagan is a proud lesbian who knows who she is but due to the pageant world which she lives in feels like she can not show her true self and must hide it so as not to ruin a career path that she has been on for a long time. When both girls are brought together at the same hotel due to a con and a pageant, they both go on a journey that helps them become more sure of who they are and what they want to be.

I really enjoyed this book. I think it showed the struggle that many LGTBQ+ people have to go through, both in coming out and figuring out your pronouns or where you fit on the LGTBQ+ spectrum. I also love that claiming your pronouns doesn't have to mean that they fully identify your sexual preferences. Teagan finding a way to not only embrace who she was but making it so that hopefully the pageant world could start to be more inclusive is such a lovely spin. It makes me so sad to know that there are still places where old standards are being upheld and being placed on highly talented individuals who have to hide who they are in order to fit in. I hope that the world embraces being more inclusive and like the people at the con do celebrate everyone's unique beauty instead of pointing out all their flaws.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book.

OKAY, HOW DARE THE AUTHOR CREATE SUCH A PERFECT YA BOOK THAT CAPTURES FANDOM AND COMMUNITY AND SISTERHOOD AND BEING QUEER SO MAGNIFICENTLY??? 😭💜

I HAVE NO OTHER WORDS RIGHT NOW. LET ME DROWN IN MY FEELS FIRST. 😭😂

Full review in my blog soon!

As I hit my 6th through 10th set of tears over this book, I realized they were like the ocean by that point–receding but never really gone. This book made me a MESS. Maybe part of it is that I very casually know the author from their time as a librarian in NJ, but I think that's only a tiny part of it. This book is just feels, feels, feels, about finding yourself and being yourself and finding community. If I could give it six stars, I would, because it's the kind of book that you want to put in teens' hands but also connects you to your younger queer self.