Being a teenager is tough. For Charlie, it’s even tougher. He transitioned last year, delaying his start at Valentine Academy for Boys. Now, fully transitioned and learning to accept himself, he’s finally ready to begin this new chapter—on one condition: he gets a private room. Charlie isn’t prepared for anyone to know he’s trans, especially at a place like St. Valentine, a campus steeped in old-school tradition and not exactly known for being open-minded. But he mailed the check for the single-room fee well before term started, so things should be fine… right?
Wrong. When Charlie arrives on campus, he finds out the Academy never received his check, and all the private rooms are gone. He’s been assigned a roommate. Panic sets in. Maybe he wasn’t ready for this after all. How can he possibly keep his secret living with another boy?
And then he finds out his roommate is none other than Jasper Grimes, the boy who broke Charlie’s heart the year before he transitioned. Except Jasper doesn’t recognize him. Not yet. The clock is ticking. But there might be a way out. If Charlie agrees to help Jasper write anonymous love letters for the other boys on campus, he'll help him get his own room. Charlie figures he can survive a few late nights ghostwriting romance. What could possibly go wrong?
In And They Were Roommates, author Page Powars crafts a sweet coming-of-age romance that explores identity, acceptance, and the delicate balancing act between standing out and simply fitting in. At a time when trans kids are being demonized for political gain, this story is a powerful reminder that they’re just kids. Yes, some of the challenges they face are uniquely difficult, but so many of their struggles are universal. Growing up is hard, and adults shouldn’t be the ones making it harder. Powars writes with humor, grace, and deep empathy, making this charming romance all the more resonant and relatable. It’s a book that entertains while gently urging us to lead with compassion, and we could all use a little more of that.
Being a teenager is tough and having other things going on I'm sure would be very stressful. This sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteLead with compassion. Yes to that. Sadly I just read an article that young boys here are going in the wrong direction so so not look ro the next gens
ReplyDeleteMy heart goes out to Charlie! This does sound like a good read.
ReplyDeleteBeing a teenager is miserable. Glad there are books to help them through.
ReplyDelete"the delicate balancing act between standing out and simply fitting in"
ReplyDelete👍
This one sounds a bit improbable, in the way most rom-coms are (especially the part where Jasper wouldn't recognize Charlie even while sharing a room with him), but the message is heartwarming and timely.