Thank you to netgally for sending me a copy of this book for review

I think LGBTQIA+ voices are so important in books, especially trans and non binary characters with the recent hate towards them indorsed by a certain female author!

Now in no means can I speak about the reoperation in this book being a straight white woman with little experience of the non binary and trans community but I didn't think this book was done well at all. The writing style was very basic and it felt like I was reading a YA book although with the characters being in university I feel maybe this is more New Adult, I didn't like the deception from Ash with regards to her relationship with Nolan, he met her while dressed as a male and female and had a romantic encounter with them as a woman, this led to Ash deceiving Nolan and not telling him he was trans as they were scared of the reaction Nolan would have towards them and came up with elaborate plans to device him, people close to Ash recognise them as both male and female yet we are meant to believe that Nolan who sits with them in class wouldn't recognise them but yet the barista in the local coffee shop does, low and behold Nolan knew the whole time it was Ash he was seeing dressed male or female and liked them for them and not their gender.....this could have solved a lot of issues and anxiety for Ash if they had just been honest from the start.

I didn't like this book and feel there are a lot better LGBTQIA+ romances out there where the person is honest about their sexuality and pronouns from the start. Would not recommend.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a free advanced copy of this book to read and review.

I thought the book was good. It wasn't anything amazing or revolutionary, and I did get annoyed with all the bigotry that Ash encountered because it was so terribly written and it seemed like the author has never experienced any transphobia or homophobia in their life. Other than that critique it was fine, there wasn't really any character or plot development. Nothing significant happened.

Weekend Girl by Alex Powell is a contemporary romance. Ashley Kingston is a gender fluid university student with a major crush on attractive and charming Nolan. He seems just too perfect to be true. What happens when Ash meets Nolan while dressed as both a man, and a woman? And even more confusing, what happens when Nolan seems enamored of both versions of Ash? A twisty-turny romance filled with fun and shenanigans.

Weekend Girl is a book that entertained, while also leaving me wanting more from the whole friend group. I really enjoyed getting to know Ash, and going along with them on their journey of self discovery and realization. I could relate to their anxiety and avoidance, and it was great to get a personal understanding of how one person experienced being genderfluid- since like most everything each individual's path is unique. I thought t was very well written, giving me a better understanding of how some individuals feel and what they experience without ever feeling performative- which sometimes happens. I liked the group of friends here, and the amount of support they offer each other, even when they are not necessarily getting along. There were so many times that I thought something big and bad was about to happen, but was thrilled with the reality and the solutions that Ash and Nolan discuss and work out together. The only thing that I wanted but did not get from this book was some of the story from Nolan's perceptive. There were several moments when how he felt was pivotal, and I thought I knew but would have loved confirmation.

Weekend Girl is an engaging read that had me rooting for Ash, and feeling some significant sympathy anxiety.

Ashley Kingston is a genderfluid university student with a major crush on attractive and charming Nolan. He seems just too perfect to be true. What happens when Ash meets Nolan while dressed as both a man, and a woman? And even more confusing, what happens when Nolan seems enamoured of both versions of Ash? A twisty-turny romance filled with fun and shenanigans.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

When I read the blurb for this book, I thought more along the lines of drama, misunderstandings, pining and finding yourself and expressing more. This book still delivered all of it, but with so much more than just those. Weekend Girl follows our gender-fluid main character Ash aka Ashley as they try to figure out how to be their true selves while tackling a crush on Nolan.
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My Rating : [ 4/5 ] 🌟🌟🌟🌟
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First, the way the author had written the two characters makes it so much more endearing to read. Ash is a nervous wreck and cannot for the life of him flirt and be confident. But Ashley focuses more on that part of themselves and becomes much more confident in their dress style, mannerisms and obviously flirting. I think the way they figured out how to co-exist was such a heartwarming portion of the story! Now, not to forget my cinnamon roll Nolan! He was such a bashfully shy character, and he made sure Ash/Ashley felt confident enough to be their true selves. Their chemistry was amazing and the angst part was full on. I think their relationship dynamic was something I really appreciated. There were open conversations about everything. Especially one particular scene where they have discussion about gender fluidity and people's misconception about it. I really love it when the characters talk. On the other hand, I felt certain scenes to be really short, cliche and abrupt. Especially the ending. Even though the way one MC reacted was justified, I didn't feel it. That aside, to be honest, I loved this book and what this delivered so much you guys. It was such a cute coming of age story that tackled the self love part really well. Overall, It was such a solid read! Although I wanted much more from the plot itself, the emotions were done well and that's all that matters !
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Thank you @netgalley for the gifted review copy!!

Unfortunately this was a DNF for me. I really wanted to like it, but it felt too forced. 3 chapters in and I knew this would not be for me.

I tried SO hard to like this book. LGBTQ+ literature and contemporary romance are my favorite genres and I was so excited to find a book featuring a nonbinary character! But this book just fell flat for me. The interactions between the characters felt forced and most of the story was Ash's inner monologue. This did provide an accurate representation of anxiety, but ended up losing my attention since it didn't feel like much was going on.

I'd definitely still purchase a copy to support LGBTQ+ lit being published, but I don't know that I'd read this again.

3.5 Stars

Weekend Girl is the first book in the Weekend Girl series by Alex Powell. It's a college romance that explores being non-binary and gender fluidity.

Ash is gender fluid, and struggling to find someone who excepts them. They're also struggling to figure out who they are, which is well written.

I don't love the writing style. It just doesn't quite work for me. But I like the storyline a lot.

The author does a great job illustrating some of the issues with being gender fluid, including the fear, the doubts, and the body dysphoria.

Weekend Girl is definitely worth a read when you're in the mood to read about gender issues. Alex Powell takes the reader on an eye-opening and realistic journey of the struggles of gender and sexuality.

I really went into this book wanting to love it but it fell short for me. Ash is nonbinary main character, gender fluid, trying to express their feminine side more. They are helped by their friend Bei Bei. The plot felt like it was resolved about 2/3 of the way through and the rest of the book just is pointless.

3.5 stars

I really wanted to like this more than I did but I still enjoyed it nonetheless.

We follow Ash who is a nonbinary, or more specifically genderfulid, person trying to express their feminine side more. They end up achieving this with help of their friend Bei Bei. Ash meets Nolan while presenting masc and later on meets him again while presenting fem. Ash assumes that Nolan doesn't know that they're the same person which ends up being the main conflict of the story.

The conflict was resolved about 2/3 in the novel so the last third really didn't feel necessary. This could've been solved with an epilogue or a short ending chapter.

The characters were quite likeable and it was a lot of fun to read about them. Our MC is very realistic and relatable, (to me at least). The relationship was really cute and though I feel it could've been developed more, it did what it could with the shorter length.

I really liked how the anxiety rep was dealt in this. Sometimes it can seem as if Ash is jumping to conclusions which can be a tad annoying but it's understandable. 

Also pansexual rep!! It's rare to see so I appreciate it being added.

This was overall a pretty solid read and I would reccomend if you want a sweet and short read, especially for summer.

Thank you to Netgalley and Nine Star Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I thought this was very cute! I loved experiencing Ash’s journey and being comfortable as they are. Thought the pacing was a little too even throughout the book, but I enjoyed all of the Ash/Nolan cuteness.

I was intrigued when I heard about this novella and so requested an ARC as soon as I saw it on Netgalley. When genderfluid university student, Ash, meets the handsome and charming, Nolan, they quickly find themself falling for him. They're not expecting to meet him a few days later at a club, or for him to be as interested in them as they are in him. There's only one problem: Ash was in "girl mode" at the time.

This sweet and emotional romance novel has queer rep by the bucket load. I loved the genderfluid protagonist and the discussions of their feelings about gender and the fears that come with being visibly trans in public places. I also thought the portrayal of Ash's anxiety was realistic.

My biggest complaint is that the main conflict of this book was resolved at around 67% and very little happened for the rest of the story. The events of the last third could, and in my opinion should, have been resolved in one chapter or epilogue but it was three chapters with no conflict that were honestly pretty boring.

I also found myself frustrated by some of the portrayals of some of the side characters. Two mean girl types compete with Ash for Nolan's attention and, though it was subverted in some ways later, they came across as somewhat sexist caricatures of young women. The descriptions of one of the Black characters also didn't sit quite right with me. Ouma, the only Black woman in the book, is portrayed as aggressive and is described as "as tall as both the guys and built like an Amazon". I felt like this fell into some anti-Black and particularly misogynoir stereotypes.

Overall this novella was okay but it probably should have been a couple of chapters shorter and should have given more thought to the portrayal of certain side characters.

Content warnings: transphobia, homophobia, panic attacks, harassment

This is a really cute and sweet contemporary romance!

Ash is genderfluid and they usually present masc but their friend Bei Bei has helped them buy some more fem clothes and they’re excited-nervous about trying them on. On the way home from their first shopping trip, they meet Nolan who is both gorgeous and sweet, protecting Ash on a crowded bus and chatting to alleviate their anxiety. When it turns out they share a lecture, they start talking more and getting to know one another. But when Ash meets Nolan at a club while they’re dressed more fem and Nolan continues to flirt with them, they have trouble deciding if Nolan knows Ash and Ashley are both them or how Nolan will react to them being genderfluid.

For the romance, I would consider this a fluffy book and Nolan and Ash are super sweet together. But the book also has a lot of Ash’s internal fears of transphobia, especially as a TMA trans person. There is also one scene where a woman harasses Ash and Bei Bei because they are trying on “women’s” clothes, but that is the worst transphobic/transmisogynistic incident, other mentions are the fears Ash processes.

I also really enjoyed the friendship between Ash and Bei Bei, and Nolan and Gabe. I hope there will be more books about the friendship group.

I will say, for me, the last chapter felt like it dragged because the pacing felt like the romance was at the point where an epilogue would fit, or at least some kind of time skip, but the group trip to Victoria (Canada) was fun and I enjoyed that it gave the friends more screen time to develop their characters.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and it was a quick read. Mostly sweet and fluffy, it’s a book I would recommend to other trans readers and especially nonbinary readers for a sweet, happy romance.

Very lovely combination of serious topics with fun dialogue and sweet romance, which was both believable and enjoyable to read about.

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Weekend Girl

by Alex Powell (Goodreads Author)

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Read in June 2021

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Weekend Girl combines serious topics such as transphobia, disphoria, anxiety and depression with a cute romance in what is a well balanced story.

Ash is genderfluid, and gets caught up in a romance with a fellow college student who seems to like them both as masc presenting Ash, and femme presenting Ashley. The trouble is, that Ash isn't sure if Nolan realises they're the same person.

The tension in the book would have been frustrating if not for Ash's realistic fear that not only would Nolan not accept who they are, but also could put them in danger, due to Ash's experiences with transphobia. The book does a fantastic job of showing their anxiety and how it affects their thought process, even when they know that what they're thinking isn't "logical".

As the love interest, Nolan was wonderful from start to finish. Ash's friend Bei Bei was also a delight.

The one downfall for me was that some of the dialogue felt a little stilted, or unnecessary, but it didn't take away my enjoyment of the book.

Weekend Girl plays like a teen rom-com. Alex Powell writes such cute and funny scenes. There is plenty of humor, awkwardness, and miscommunication to make Weekend Girl a true romantic comedy.

Powell deals head on with the issues of having to introduce a “new” modified version of you - that you don’t know yet if it is actually you. Powell then adds the mental health issue of panic attacks and anxiety to Ash’s character. Like they don’t have enough going on...oh wait(!) let’s add in a good-looking guy into the mix.

What follows is an exploration into the rainbow spectrum. Having to come out again.The fear of coming out as violence against transpersons has increased. Plus Ash still needs to pass Science.

Ash’s best friend Bei Bei is an interesting secondary character as she has as many issues as Ash. She is an Asian Butch lesbian who is a love them and leave them type of gal. Honest until it hurts, unless we are talking about her. She is a vibrant sidekick for Ashley.

The romance between Ash and Nolan is funny, sweet, and at times way hot.

Weekend Girl is a fun rom-com. Powell creates a couple to not only root for, but want to see again. Hopefully in Bei Bei’s story we will all be reunited again...hint, hint.

I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.

While I thought I understood the danger, I never truly understood how paralyzingly scary it can be to be a nb or trans person. Not only in how strangers treat you but in sharing who you are with friends and new people.

The romance seemed to move so fast but Ash and Nolan’s relationship is amazingly sweet. Nolan is almost to good to be true with his patience and understanding.

Love the consent in the smexy scenes!

I had a really hard time writing this review as this is my first time reading a story about a non binary character! I really wanna read a book in lgbt genre for this pride month and I'm glad that I chose this one.
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Personally I thought this was really informative as I don't know much about the struggles they've to face in the relationships also how hard it is to face their real self and their fears of acceptance in the society. Moreover this story deals with a lot of sensitive topics including racial discrimination,gender fluidity and also mental health issues.
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Okay now let's talk about the storyline
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I thought the love story between the two main characters Ash(non-binary) and Nolan(bi) was too good to be true! I thought there would be some obstacles or misunderstandings in between but I was wrong it was a fairytale from the start to finish which is nearly impossible in real life.But well it's a fiction and I enjoyed it so that's what matters the most right?!
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I really adored the friendship between bei bei(lesbian) and Ash. Her love story with ouma is cute too
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Definitely recommended to peeps who want to explore lgbt genre or want to read any fun light read for this pride month

This book was a great read. It follows Ash who is non-binary genderfluid as they are starting to explore their feminine side. They then meet Nolan while they are presenting as masculine and then again while presenting as feminine. Nolan appears to be attracted to Ash both times but they are unsure whether Nolan knows they are the same person and if to tell them.

The main thing I liked about this book was the portrayl of Ash's anxiety. The portrayl felt very realistic, particularly as Ash often jumped to the worst conclusions and got caught up in their thoughts.

There was also great character development throughout the book, for Ash and the other characters too. I really liked Bei Bei and would love to read more about her! I did think Nolan was a bit too perfect with few flaws but that wasn't too bad.

One thing I didn't like as much was that a lot of the book was just Ash's thoughts. While I did like that this allowed for an accurate depiction of their anxiety, it did feel like not a lot was happening sometimes, as most of the conflict was going on in their head rather than actually happening.

Despite this, it was a very enjoyable read!