TW// suicidal ideation, depression, suicide attempt, overdose, anxiety, mentions of panic attacks, divorce, mentions of cheating, mentions of misgendering, mentions of transphobia, body dysphoria, puking, mentions of outing, mention of bullying, mention of racism, mentions of underage drinking, mention of a mom’s death

If I Can Give You That is a queer coming of age story. It follows Gael as he explores his identities, falls in love with his best friend, and tries to manage life with his mom’s depression.

This book handled some important topics really well, but I ultimately felt that this book was lacking in some key areas.

Michael Gray Bulla does a fantastic job of addressing the realities of life as a trans person, the struggles of loving someone with a mental illness, and the disappointment of having a terrible father. There’s discussions of gender dysphoria and transitioning that felt really well written. I loved how it highlighted both the good and bad of what it’s like to be trans in America. This will definitely be a really eye opening read for anyone who isn’t trans and wants to know more about trans people. The plotline revolving around Gael’s mom was really hard to read and it hit really close to home at times, but it was really well done. The topic of Gael’s dad was another part of the story that was hard to read and I’d be lying if said I wasn’t on the verge of screaming from pure frustration from it at times, but I really appreciated how Michael dived deep into how Gael’s dad’s actions impacted him. Terrible parental figures make really strong impacts on their child’s development yet books often brush over the whole depth of that impact. Michael wasn’t afraid to explore that depth and how it impacted all of Gael’s relationships.

I loved Declan in this story and how supportive he was of Gael. His personality was fun and outgoing yet he was down to earth with all of his relationships. I liked Gael, too, but not to the same degree as how much I liked Declan. I sort of saw myself in Gael. The awkardness, the anxiety about social situations, and his whole personality reminded me of myself. I also truly believe that if anyone were to confess that they liked me, my reaction would be just like Gael’s (even though I wish I could handle it in less messy ways but let’s be honest - I can’t).

Unfortunately there were a lot of negatives in this book as well and they hindered from my enjoyment of the story.

The pacing was possibly my biggest issue with this book. The whole book felt like a slog to get through. It had a lot to do with the writing style. Something about it felt slightly dull and that made it really hard to get interested in the story. There was also lots of times where this story lost steam. It tried so hard to portray what day-to-day life as a teen is like, but there was often too many unnecessary scenes and details.

There were some parts of this story that felt underdeveloped. I wouldn’t have minded a longer book if some plotlines and characters were focused on more. Most of the minor characters (Jeremiah, Annie, Jacqueline, etc.) only had brief interactions with Gael and those interactions were often used to help Gael work through some of his own problems. I wish there would’ve been more time spent making the minor characters into three dimensional characters who have their own goals and ambitions. The plots, specifically revolving around Jacqueline’s dating life and Nicole’s friendship with Gael, definitely felt lacking throughout most of this story as well.

I had some hope that somehow the ending would redeem the story for me, but it ended up feeling really rushed. The plot with Gael’s dad was hastily wrapped up with an unsatisfying conclusion and a lot of Gael’s mom’s treatment was rushed through. I’m glad that there were some moments where the mental health treatment was addressed, but I would’ve liked to see more about how it was for her to adapt to life back at home and how Gael responded to her being back home.

Overall this book was good, but it wasn’t very enjoyable for me personally. If I Can Give You That had its strong moments and people will like it - there was just some issues with the book that I personally couldn’t overlook when it came to judging how much I truly liked this book.

Thank you HarperCollins and NetGalley for this eARC! Bulla’s debut YA novel was a quick and emotional read. There is a lot of heavy content, so explore the TWs in the author’s Goodreads review before reading.

If I Can Give You That is a queer coming of age story: the characters are queer, the experiences are relatable for LGBTQIA+ teens, and the outcomes are hopeful and empowering, though the journey was long, awkward, dark, and painful.

What I love most about this novel is the queer representation, intersectionality, and Bulla’s ability to address such heavy and complex experiences on a YA platform. These are experiences and issues LGBTQIA+ youth are facing every day. Everyone deserves to see themselves represented in literature, and I know this book will find and resonate deeply with those who it was meant for.

this book deals with several serious and very important topics, some of which I haven't really seen in any other books (or they weren't as important to the story),. I think this story is so important for anyone who struggles with identity, mental illness (or a parent's mental illness), relationship issues of any kind, and so much more

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I loved this book. Every word. After I kept seeing it advertised on my social media platforms, I was super excited to get the opportunity to read it even a few weeks early!

Gael. Sweet, shy, awkward Gael; I wanted to wrap him in a hug from pretty much the first page. He's been through so much at 17, and the author did an incredible job articulating how he became the young man he is today. Even when Gael couldn't find the words, I always understood him. His story is heartbreaking, heartwarming, and everything in between, as we get to watch him learn to let others in.

The representations of his friends felt so authentic too, lined up against real-life high schoolers I know today. The problems they faced, the relationships they built, all of it felt so true-to-life (I'm not saying I would go back to high school given the opportunity, but I was so immersed in this story that it felt a little bit like I was in the halls myself).

This was, start to finish, a fantastic read. It's always exciting to see a new author dipping into the OwnVoices space, and even moreso when they write something that absolutely sucks you in like this story does. I'm already thinking about people in my life I want to recommend it to personally, and I'm sure I'll be back for a reread soon. Whoever said YA isn't for 20-somethings too, they're sorely mistaken, because this book touched my heart.

(TW for gender disphoria, panic attacks/anxiety, depression, suicide and suicide attempts.)

This was probably one of the heavier YA books that I've read in a while. If I can Give You That deals with some pretty heavy topics: Divorce, Anxiety, Depression, Suicide, as well as Gael figuring out his sexuality while dealing with his dysphoria.
Gael is a trans teenager and he usually keeps to himself, spending time at school, work, with his older friend Nicole, or at home keeping an eye on his mother. Nicole (let me just take a moment and say I wish I had had a Nicole at 17, she was amazing) convinces Gael to come to Plus, the LGBTQ+ youth support group, where he meets Declan, a boy from his school. Eventually, he comes somewhat out of his shell, starts to befriend Declan, and gets absorbed into his friend group, but he still isn't sure how he feels and deals with anxiety. He's also worried that his mom is backsliding into bad habits and her severe depression when his father moves back into town after years of not communicating.

I felt like I could relate to Gael as he comes into himself and starts to learn how to let people in and trust others to be there for him. I felt like Declan was really well-rounded too with his need to help everyone but he also had issues with trusting others with his own problems and accepting that he can't fix everything. They seemed like they could really be good for each other.
I think If I Can Give You That did a really good job mixing in the darker topics with the lighter moments and you could really feel for Gael and his Mom.

3.25/5 stars! Things that were amazing about this book. The representation of the LGBTQ+ community, the focus on mental health and its effects, and the recognition of how important it is to find 'your people' those who support you were all fabulously done. However, the writing style was weak and repetitive and that made the storyline suffer. I think Gael and his friends had an empowering and important journey in this story, that was let down a bit by the writing.

I received an advance review copy for free through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

As soon as I saw that this book was recommended for fans of Kacen Callender and Mason Deaver, I knew I had to read it. I was not disappointed, I had a good time and was quite impressed to see that this is the author's debut novel.
I liked the fact that you can really see the evolution of the characters, who learn from their mistakes as they go along and try to do their best.
Reading a book with so much queer representation felt good, and the discussions around the lgbt community were very interesting.
The romance managed to be cute while still bringing in some heavy themes.
One thing that bothered me a bit was the repetitiveness of the writing. Indeed, there are many times the same general phrases, turns of phrase or expressions, which at the beginning of the book are nice because the writing is good, but end up being too present at the end. Some dialogues ended up being very similar.
ARC given by NetGalley for an honest review

Thank you Quill Tree Books and NetGalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. Gael lives with his mother both of them struggle with disabilities, Gael with anxiety and his mother with depression. Gael’s never really had close friends some of that having to do with not knowing where he fit when he transitioned. Especially since he hasn’t been able to have top surgery and he lives in an area that is not the most friendly towards the LGBTQIA+ community. When the one friend he does have asks him to attend a group meeting he reluctantly goes. When he’s there he see his classes mate Declan. The two begin talking and a relationship grows as does Gael’s relationship with Declan’s friend group. But when his dad comes back to down, after not speaking to him in four months, and his moms struggles get worse he has difficulty maintaining those relationships. And if there was something more with Declan would he be able to work through his own struggles to make it work? I feel Gael was very relatable, not completely in his connection to gender for me, but in his struggles with disabilities and his mothers struggles with disabilities. Michael Gray Bulla does a fantastic job of capturing the pain, loneliness, fear, and loss that can come with having disabilities! Especially untreated! I really felt for Gael and how those things and his relationships in the past impacted his ability to open up and feel connected to others! I also loved the parts where the characters were at Plus, a support group for LGBTQIA+ individuals, it would be so beneficial if those kinds of support groups were everywhere though I would have been at like like Gael was when he first started! This book is absolutely lovely full of complications, growth, understanding, compassion, and love! Highly recommend this book! I can’t wait to read it again!

guys, what a ride it was this book!
when I saw this on "find titles" with the "perfect for fans of kacen callender" blur i automatically asked for it. and it really was worth it
these characters and this story it was so so great, touchable, funny and sweet at the same time.

Seventeen-year-old Gael is a private individual, and though his best friend encourages him to attend a support group for LGBTQIA+ teens, he doesn't intend to reveal much about his life. Gael has a lot on his plate, including helping his mother through her depression, dealing with his estranged father, and being a transgender boy in a conservative high school. However, when he meets Declan and is welcomed into a new group of friends, Gael starts to open up. As his relationship with Declan becomes more, Gael must decide if he can trust others with his heart, despite the challenges he faces with his family.

If I Can Give You That by Michael Gray Bulla is a thoughtfully crafted coming-of-age story that delves into the complexities of identity and relationships. Gael, the protagonist, is a well-rounded and relatable character whose struggles with family issues and being transgender in a conservative community are handled with care and sensitivity. While the themes of the book can be heavy at times, the author handles Gael's mother's mental health issues and Gael's own identity struggles with the utmost sensitivity and nuance. The romance between Gael and Declan is sweet and organic, and the relationships Gael forms with his new friends are heartwarming and supportive. Overall, If I Can Give You That is a poignant and uplifting read that will resonate with readers. I highly recommend it and give it four stars.

This book was a ride in the best way. Gael is going through so much, navigating his mother's mental health and father's attempts to reconnect while trying to find his place in the world. Enter Declan, a sort of saving grace from person life. He becomes so much more to Gael, which was so important given his hesitation to let people in and see the real him. I loved their dynamic and relationship as it grew, simmered, and grew some more. I can see this story really helping teens who are going through similar things. So happy this book exists. Team Gaeclan!

I related to this WAY too much!! Finally a book that encompasses the weirdness of feeling too queer for the world but not queer enough for our own communities and all the confusion in navigating such a terrifying identity. I loved that this book doesn’t shy away from heavy topics and does them in such a nuanced way! I loved that the romance felt like a friendship first and foremost. I loved that the queer exploration felt very realistic. I could honestly go on and on about all this book does perfectly but honestly just pick up the book and see for yourself! I will take a star off because i needed a long time to get invested and the writing style felt very intense to a point that I took long breaks reading it and it was hard to return to reading it. But I wish I didn’t because it’s just really good all around. But if you read it please look at the trigger warnings first.

This book was soooo good. It was inspiring as well and I loved the LGBTQ representation. I haven’t read a book this heartfelt in a long time. The growth of the characters and the relationship of the characters was so organic and loving. I loved it here and would definitely be reading more from this author .

Love the LGBTQIA+ visibility and inclusion of characters of colors. Love the way the love story was built and presented to the reader will definitely be reading more from this author

Please notice that feedback for "If I Can Give You That" by Michael Gray Bulla will become available once HarperCollins strike has ended. Star Rating does not necessarily reflect true opinion.

This teenage rom-com story instantly captured my heart.

I loved this book, the story was well thought-out and the writing was easy to follow. It had me laughing and gasping with the turn of a page, and I thoroughly enjoyed the ride this book took me on. It was such a feel-good romance but it handled some really heavy topics at the same time. I loved all the representation and the struggle with sexuality and gender that was shown,

This was a super easy read, and I really have nothing bad to say about it.

I received this arc from NetGalley and Quill Tree Books in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

This book was really sweet! I loved how the characters developed. Each one was very unique and I enjoyed seeing them interact with each other.

It handled a lot of sensitive topics pretty well! I related a lot to the main character. The themes of anxiety and complicated home life hit very close to home.

The only thing I didn’t really appreciate was that the beginning was very slow and then the ending felt very rushed. Everything felt very rushed considering how much build up there was.

Despite the pacing, I really enjoyed the book! It was a quick and sweet read. I would definitely recommend you read it if you are interested.

Thanks ti the publisher and netgalley for an arc in exchange for my review.

This book is honestly so beautifully written. I did appreciate how the author navigated Gaels relationship with his mother and the sensitivity with which her mental health was handled. At times I did feel like there was so much happening in the story between his mother and his tumultuous relationship with his father and finding new friends and questioning his sexuality it all felt a bit overwhelming. Which I imagine is the point. To highlight the difficulties of being a young trans man and the difficulties that can arise in family and other relationships.

Overall I did enjoy this book.

TW: suicide, depression, panic attacks

It was a sweet and emotional story of a trans teen exploring his life, questioning his sexuality, his friendships, and his future.

Triggers of suicide, depression, and panic attacks..

There was a lot going on in this book. . I loved that Gael found his tribe of friends that treated him with love and respect. I liked how the author explored his relationship with his mom who suffered from severe depression with sensitivity. Gael was also dealing with his poor relationship with his dad, and falling for a new friend. I appreciated the author’s sensitivity and grace in exploring Gael’s sexuality and insecurities. The ending wasn't too amazing and some parts of the story felt unfinished. I had a hard time enjoying this book. Overall, it was a pretty good yet important story.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was one great queer story that had so much diversity that is important for teens to read. The discussions of gender, gender expression and identity, sexuality, and the differences and intersections of all of those truly opened my eyes, and I have no doubt there are teens out there who need stories like this one.