As a cis-woman, the trans experience is something I don't understand. But after reading this, I feel like I understand it a little bit more. This book is so amazing and I love it and will probably read it over and over again.

This is the kind of book that is going to change someone's life. "Between Perfect and Real" is a YA novel that combines the usual ups-and-downs of senior year in high school (college applications, stressing about the future, trying out for the school play, and so on) with a journey of self-discovery as Dean learns and begins to define who he is. And for Dean, that means realizing that he's trans and that he doesn't want to use the pronouns once given to him, that never sat quite right with him. He/Him is what feels comfortable.
I found Dean to be such a wonderful character throughout the whole book as he dealt with the internal and external frustrations of coming out, both to himself and then to others. As a cis reader, I obviously don't know what the trans experience is like, but I thought that Dean's journey was so meaningful to read about and that his story will really make a difference to those reading who maybe also feel the same as Dean. I thought the book held an important balance too between the struggles that Dean faced but also the support and validation he found. Despite his challenges, there is such hope to this book that I loved. I also loved the way Romeo and Juliet as a play was woven into the text and the ways that Dean got to learn about himself through this role. And as a former high school theater kid, I loved the way this highlighted theater (for all its good and all its flaws). This really captured so much of senior year in it too, with all the stress over friend groups and college applications and such. Overall, I think this is a really special book and I definitely recommend it!

Dean has always been a masculine person, but it's not until he lands the starring role of Romeo in the school play that it really hits him-- he's transgender. Until now, he's been okay living as a tomboy lesbian... but the more he explores his identity, both as Dean and Romeo, the more he realizes it's time to transition in the real world. I was glued to this novel, which expertly and authentically portrays both the positive and negative interactions one may face that come with the courageous and self-affirming path of transitioning, even in progressive cities like Seattle. Stoeve's debut is bound to become a young adult LGBT classic: informative, relatable, and timeless.

Thanks to the publisher for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review!

I loved this book from beginning to end. It's dripping with voice and life, and I was blown away by how relatable and real those teen characters were. This kind of book is desperately needed and I know that trans teens will be able to see themselves in Dean. It'll be so many people's favorite book and I think it's going to be very important to our culture conversation as well.

I found myself immersed in the romantic and platonic character arcs from the beginning as well as the family struggles that Dean endures. The emphasis on found family and supportive friends really struck a chord with me. I love that friendships are getting more page time - they're just as messy and complicated and important as romantic arcs.

The writing style was beautiful to read. I can't wait for this book to be out and on the shelves of people who need it the most.

Before Perfect and Real is a wonderful and needed story that will make a difference in people's lives. I hate that the world makes showing who you really are inside such a scary and uncertain experience, but I'm glad there are stories like this one that give teens like Dean a chance to be seen and know that they aren’t alone.

Dean knows he’s trans, but he’s not sure if he’s ready to come out since everyone at school currently thinks he’s a lesbian, including his girlfriend. After being cast as a non-traditional Romeo in the school play, Dean quickly realizes that he needs to be seen as a guy even off stage. As rehearsals continue, Dean knows it’s time to come out despite his fears.

Between Perfect and Real does an excellent job portraying a trans male perspective and the many concerns and questions about coming out and transitioning. My heart hurt for Dean through most of the book because he was so anxious about the consequences of coming out but so sick of being seen and treated like a girl. There are a lot of solid friendships and experiences throughout the story but also a few rough moments that may be triggering to some readers.

The book is very well written with a structure that works perfectly as play preparations intertwine with Dean’s coming out experience. There were several points where I reread a passage because the phrasing was spot on and/or just beautiful to read. Even though the story focuses on Dean, the side characters are fleshed out and have their own development too. Honestly, it’s just a super solid book that will appeal to a variety of people.

Highly recommended.

Trans YA written by a trans author! This book is a true delight. Stoeve weaves so much regular teen drama in with all of Dean's struggles with his identity and coming out to his friends and family. Dean is the kid of man character you can't help but root for but he's realistically imperfect and so are all of his friends.

This books is great. Highly recommend.

This is such an excellent debut novel for the author! They captured the high school experience without making it cliché, crafted really compelling characters, and told a really honest story about discovering your identity.
Loved this, and can't wait to put it into the hands of readers!

The fact that this book had me crying my eyes out from start to finish man...I loved it so much. This book is important. It truly matters. We need more trans visibility in books.

I want to start by saying that one day this book will be very important to someone. The struggles faced by Dean throughout the story are sure to hit a cord with not just teens (or adults for that matter) struggling with their gender identity, but also with anyone who is struggling with their identity period. The story feels very real and honest and raw while still managing to remain accessible. There are clear struggles (romantic ones, friendship ones, family ones) but ultimately it is still a story about the importance of found family and finding friends who will do whatever they can to love and support you.

This is one of my favorite things I've read this year, and I can't wait for it to hit shelves next year so everyone else can experience it also.

Enjoyable, quick read that many young readers will find relatable and helpful. I appreciated that this book isn't full of tragedy, but it also isn't a perfect world. Dean's parents and classmates and friends have a tough time giving Dean exactly what he deserves and needs in those moments, and I think many will have had similar experiences with coming out.

Enthralling, descriptive and emotional. What an incredible debut novel! Dean Foster is a senior student focused on the theater as a career. This is the only simple layer to this student. Not only is Dean wrestling with the typical angsts of a teenager, but we get to follow in the journey of discovery, understanding, why those childhood years of being forced into dresses, a female lifestyle, felt foreign, wrong. Through research on Google and YouTube, Dean becomes aware, she is not a lesbian, but a trans male. The book opens up the world of LBGTQ in a fascinating YA tale, I thoroughly enjoyed this book from beginning to end. I look forward to more books from Ray Stoeve.

It's pretty rare that I read a book over night these days but this book erased time for me. This is a book about Dean Foster, a queer teen coming to terms with being trans in high school. He auditions for Romeo & Juliet and gets the part of Romeo, the story starts there and follows him all the way through his last performance. The friendship and sense of community in this book left me overjoyed and filled with an immense hope. This book was also personally special because my 'first love' in high school went through the very same thing and so Dean wasn't just a character but someone I deeply cared about and a story I always hoped could be told. This was a really wonderful book.

It's refreshing to see Romeo and Juliet used as an intertext not for star-crossed lovers, but for figuring out and loving one's true self. Also lovely: an understanding, caring teacher who nonetheless doesn't have the perfect advice but tries hard anyway. The cast of characters is mostly thoughtfully crafted, surrounding protagonist Dean with people who love and support him, even if they stumble at times.

Bring on all the trans coming out and self acceptance stories, please! This heartwarming story is about Dean Foster’s coming out and understanding himself as a trans guy. The timeline of the story starts with the auditions for Romeo and Juliet and follows through the last performance. I enjoyed the presence of high school theater and the way it gave Dean opportunities for growth without overtaking the plot.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and the way it presented queer friendships and community. Not everyone was entirely accepting, but there was other support when Dean needed it. I definitely look forward to reading more novels by this author.