I was unable to read this before it expired. Please accept my apologies. I hope to read more books later.

Well, it's not the worst thing I've ever read, but it was written by a High School Freshman, and it reads exactly that way. Some of the premises are completely ridiculous, the ending is incredibly stupid and cliche, and what the heck is up with the entire thing being in Raimi's voice except for two totally random little sections told from Claire's? It's a mess.

Thanks for allowing me to check out this book in exchange for an honest review, but I'm no longer interested in picking this book up at this time.

Breaking Free is the story of Raimi, a trans teenage girl, starting high school for the first time as a senior and ready to throw herself into the teenage high school experience after being homeschooled for the last few years. Having undergone gender reassignment and facial surgeries, she’s really feeling herself and is ready to take life, and high school, by storm. And then Raimi lays eyes on the beautiful Clare and a little bit of shine is knocked off her new life when she can’t stop thinking about the other clearly troubled girl.

The gorgeous head cheerleader is obviously desperately unhappy in a relationship with brutish football player Brad. When it comes out that Brad has been using the information that Clare is gay to blackmail her into a one-sided relationship, Raimi is determined to help Clare break free, from Brad and from the small-minded people in the town. It’s in the course of this that Raimi makes the startling revelation that she herself isn’t really free – she’s got her own secrets and her own fears.

This book deals with a lot of issues: gender identity, coming out, homophobia, transphobia, date rape, bullying, underage drinking/alcoholism, depression, suicide, and absentee parenting, to name a few. Breaking Free was like a high school soap opera with the way it kind of jumps from one issue to another; it starts to feel a little like Degrassi up in there.

Luckily, I love me some Degrassi, so I am here for that.

Break Free is a sweet romance with nothing more intense than a few kisses, and one make-out session, exchanged between the main pairing. When you’re in the mood for some intense drama and teenage angst, this is the book to read. The drama and angst lasts all the way through, with new twists and turns popping up until the very very end. The author was only fourteen when she wrote this, which is amazing, and I can’t wait to see what else she comes out with in the future.