ARC Review: If I Was You Girl by Meredith Russo

Author: Meredith Russo

Genre: Young adult, contemporary, LGBTQIA+

Publisher: Flatiron Books

Publication Date: May 3, 2016

288 pages, hardcover

Check out the full synopsis on Goodreads.

This book. Wow. If I Was Your Girl is not only great because it is important (though it is SO important) but also because Russo has an easy, authentic, beautiful writing style that made me fall in love with this book and its characters. It’s a quick read but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to read. It’s difficult to read at times, but Amanda is an incredible, brave, and wonderful character and you really want to meet her.

I ordered this book as a physical book, e-book, and audiobook for my library because I really want everyone to read it. I think it is important for everyone to read it. I even convinced my very conservative, religious supervisor to read this one as an audiobook and she’s loving it.

However, I did have a few issues – mostly with the bit of instalove and subsequent not-as-developed-as-I’d-like relationship between Amanda and Grant and also the ending, which I felt was a bit rushed. The beginning was so developed and emotionally resonant that the ending didn’t feel as genuine, I guess?

The bottom line: HIGHLY recommended for EVERYONE.

Rating: I’m not rating this one because even though I had some issues, this book is so freaking important and everyone should read it.