Filing this one under “books that made me cry” 

This book follows Tom and Ming. Them meeting. Graduating college. Adjusting to ‘adulthood.’ And Ming coming out as a trans woman. We get to see how they both navigate the relationship and friendships, seeing both of their firsthand perspectives throughout the book. 

This one really snuck up on me. At first, I was finding it to be good, not great. A little slow. But then, I realized I was loving it and couldn’t put it down. By the end, I was crying. Dinan’s writing is very impressive in that she really builds this world and makes you feel like you are a part of it. I really enjoyed the alternate perspectives and the non-linear timeline. At first, I did not think I was going to like either of those aspects, but they ended up really adding to the story. It was really interesting to see Tom’s perspective as a cisgender partner in a relationship with a transitioning transgender partner. 

In addition to Tom and Ming, we get to know their flawed yet lovely and loyal friends. Their friends add to the story in a way that gives you more perspective on Tom and Ming’s relationship. And who they are as people. 

If I had to describe this in two words it would be tender and vulnerable. As a millennial, it was easy to see some of the struggles Tom and Ming faced. After reading some interviews with the author, I can see how she wove some of her personal life into both Tom and Ming and that made the story that much more special for me. 

Another aspect I really enjoyed about this was Ming’s descriptions of Malaysia and growing up as queer and Malaysian. And the descriptions of food are YUM.