What We Left Behind
by Robin Talley
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Pub Date 22 Oct 2015 | Archive Date 10 Jan 2016
Harlequin (UK) Limited | MIRA Ink
Description
‘A moving YA book. And an important one’ – The Telegraph on Lies We Tell Ourselves
What if discovering who you really are means letting go of who you've been?
Toni and Gretchen are the couple everyone envied in high school. They've been together forever. They never fight. They're hopelessly in love.
When they separate for their first year at college they're sure their relationship will stay rock solid.
The reality of being apart, however, is very different. Toni's discovering a new world – and a new gender identity – but Gretchen struggles to remember who she is outside of their relationship.
While Toni worries that Gretchen won’t understand Toni's shifting identity, Gretchen begins to wonder where she fits in this puzzle. Now they must decide if their love is strong enough to last.
A powerful new novel from the acclaimed author of Lies We Tell Ourselves.
Praise for Robin Talley‘This is so thought-provoking it almost hurts to read it, yet every word is needed, is necessary and consequently this is a novel that lingers long after you've finished it' – Lovereading
‘This is an emotional and compelling read that I did not want to put down. It is […] beautifully written and the tension just simmers on the pages.’ – Bookbabblers
‘This book packs a very powerful punch’ – Historical Novel Society
‘With great characterisation, tough issues covered, and a plot which had me guessing right up until the last pages, this is a must-read. Massively recommended!’ – The Bookbag
‘This exceptional novel of first love and sexual awakenings is set against a backdrop of shocking racism and prejudice. It is incredibly well written as the tense, riveting story seamlessly combines fiction with historical fact.’ – Booktrust
‘Every now and then a Young Adult book comes along that I want to push into every reader's hands, both young and old, and Lies We Tell Ourselves is that book for 2014’ – Jess Hearts Books
‘Talley has mixed two controversial topics together to create a firecracker of a story’ – Cheryl M-M's Book Blog
*A Goodreads Choice Awards semi-finalist 2014
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781848453913 |
| PRICE | £13.99 (GBP) |
Featured Reviews
Lisa B, Reviewer
Since reading Golden Boy by Abigail Tartellin a few years back, I have been intrigued by fiction that features central characters who are transgender. It is a subject that I am fascinated by; equally I am encouraged that more and more fiction discusses this topic.
The LGBTQIA community has been hidden away for so long that it truly makes me smile that young adults can read about characters’ struggles and maybe even identify with their stories. This is a great way to change opinions and remove ignorance along with giving the young adult reading the book (who is confused by their feelings in the convention societal arena) hope.
In What We Left Behind, we meet Gretchen and Toni(y) – our two protagonists; a lesbian couple who are trying to make their long distance relationship work as they head off to two different colleges. Alongside this struggle, Toni is discovering that s/he (for ease of description) wants to go through with transgender realignment. However, Gretchen is confsed as to what role she will play in Tony’s life now. Will she be his girlfriend? Does this make her straight? Both of them are struggling with these big life changes and are falling apart rather than anchoring each other.
What We Left Behind is a book that is essentially about relationships; our relationship with others and our relationship with ourselves. Robin Talley handles the topic with sensitivity whilst also managing to make the reader question our own levels of acceptance and how we perceive those around us.
What We Left Behind is an excellent novel.
What We Left Behind by Robin Talley is available now.
Follow Robin Talley (@Robin_Talley) via Twitter.
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