
The Book:
Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender, 2020
The Characters:
Felix, his best friend Ezrah, and various other classmates and friends
The Plot (from Goodreads):
Felix Love has never been in love—and, yes, he’s painfully aware of the irony. He desperately wants to know what it’s like and why it seems so easy for everyone but him to find someone. What’s worse is that, even though he is proud of his identity, Felix also secretly fears that he’s one marginalization too many—Black, queer, and transgender—to ever get his own happily-ever-after.
When an anonymous student begins sending him transphobic messages—after publicly posting Felix’s deadname alongside images of him before he transitioned—Felix comes up with a plan for revenge. What he didn’t count on: his catfish scenario landing him in a quasi–love triangle….
But as he navigates his complicated feelings, Felix begins a journey of questioning and self-discovery that helps redefine his most important relationship: how he feels about himself.
Felix Ever After is an honest and layered story about identity, falling in love, and recognizing the love you deserve.
The Review:
This book was so incredibly moving. I loved every second of it, and finished the audiobook in a day. I often found myself smiling at the characters as they found love and discovered things about themselves. It was extremely heartwarming and uplifting. The characters were beautifully written–you could feel their pain and confusion as well as their joy throughout the book. I absolutely grew attached to Felix! I would love to see a sequel because I don’t feel like I’m done with him. And I can not wait for the TV series!
I am so glad that queer and trans teens will be able to see themselves represented in such an amazing, entertaining book, and that teens that are questioning their identity can take comfort in Felix and knowing that they aren’t alone in their feelings. That is an important message for any teenager–whatever you are going through, you’re not alone, and there are so many people out there to support you.
I don’t read a lot of YA books, but if they all were as entertaining, powerful, and well-written as Felix Ever After, I would certainly read a lot more of them.
Also this is my favorite cover art of all books this year, possibly all time.

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