Name: Birthday
Rating: 4.344594594594595 (74 reviews)
ISBN: 9781250129833

Meredith Russo

One Day meets The Sun Is Also a Star in this unconventional love story by the award-winning author of If I Was Your Girl, Meredith Russo!

A Novel

Birthday

Lara owens 

I'm holding my breath, hovering between wavering sunlight and deep, dark blue, arms twirling while my feet kick up and down, slow as tides. I'm not ready to go back up; too much waits for me above the surface. But I know I can't just float for ever. Life always forces you to move, one way or the other, whether you're bursting into sunlight or swimming down.

Jo Litchfield

Meet Morgan and Eric: born on the same day, at the same time and bonded for life. In this moving dual narrative, we meet them every birthday from the age of thirteen, as Eric figures out who he is, as Morgan decides to live as her true self, and as they realize they are inextricably part of each other.

PENNY PAINESI

** spoiler alert **
           I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH !! Even with school I managed to finish it in only two days because I became obsessed! I loved how well the author described Morgan's feelings and inner demons and how well in sync the two best friends. I haven't been on a similar journey myself but the authors description made me understand as much as I can Morgan's raw need to be a woman

Kailey Rios

this was such an important and emotional story. 

it was definitely hard to read at times but it ended in such a heartwarming and lovely way.


  4.5 stars

Marina Riaza

I can’t believe a book like this exists. I can’t believe I’m lucky enough to have read it. So painful and so beautiful, so raw and poetic. I love it so much.

Meet Morgan and Eric: born on the same day, at the same time and bonded for life. In this moving dual narrative, we meet them every birthday from the age of thirteen, as Eric figures out who he is, as Morgan decides to live as her true self, and as they realize they are inextricably part of each other. An LGBTQ+ YA One Day, this is a beautiful unconventional love story by the bestselling #ownvoices author of If I Was Your Girl.

Rebecca Browne

Wow. I kinda wish it didn’t just end, but I couldn’t put this book down and I’m so glad I had the opportunity to read it.

Toni Turner

Content warnings for homophobic slurs, suicide, manipulative parent, depression & anxiety!

This shit hurted & was so beautiful. I love Morgan and Eric more than anything and I’m going to be crying over this story until I die. 

Like fuck! Anyone who might read this who is struggling with their gender identity or sexuality like I fucking LOVE YOU AND YOU ARE VALID AND YOU ARE WHY I STILL BREATH TODAY!

alice nunes

A new favorite 

Probs favorite of the year as well

Popsugar Reading Challenge 2020: A book by a trans or nonbinary author

Lisa W.

I heart ❤️ Eric. 
This was a good book. I feel satisfied even though I want more. I’m not exactly sure more is realistic or maybe I’d be asking for too much but I have plenty of theories that could be added.

Coralie | she/her

This book was so HARD! Like I cried a dozen times. But it was so important. It touched me, changed me. I had never read a book about transgender before, but I think that this one should be a must read. Following Morgan thoughts broke me. 

I have to warn you: this book is really difficult. It talks about depression, homophobia, loss and suicide attempt. It was so difficult to watch the characters suffer this much. But at the same time, this is what makes this book so beautiful and so important.
So yeah, I don't really have the good words to express what I am feeling right now. So just remember that this book is such a great book, and that you should all read it.

Jessica 

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Review also found here at Booked J. 

This was my first experience with Meredith Russo's prose, but certainly not my last. Birthday alone is one of the most poignant, thought-provoking and heart warming releases in YA this year. It could not be more deserving of its praises. I've been in a sea of emotions since finishing and it's taken a while to fully process Birthday and the beauty in this particular love story. 

I'm a sucker for love blossoming between two friends. It's one of my favourite tropes, if explored in a way that's unique but familiar. In the case of Birthday, the representation makes the story all the more engaging and reminds us what is desperately needed in fiction. Birthday made me believe in fate and that, in itself, is what fiction should be about: learning, believing and feeling.

Seeing the way that Eric and Morgan develop into their relationship through snapshots of their teenage years was truly a beautiful gift. Watching as they came of age and found themselves in more ways than one brought me immense joy. It also, at times, brought a great deal of raw emotion that leaves readers with something of an ache. It is in these moments that it truly shines.

If you're not sold, think of the character development all on its own. Russo crafts two characters in the best of ways--never erasing their flaws, keeping them true to life and making them genuinely wonderful people. Their character growth, along with their connection, is what makes Birthday soar as a love story. They learn, they love, they accept, they struggle--they come to life before your eyes.

But it is the time we spend in the narration that we truly get to know the story and these characters. In it we see more than just standard coming of age tropes; we see first loves, we see the struggles of a young transgender, the loss of a parent, the cruelty of another and we watch as each of these little (big) moments in two teenagers lives come to head. 

Birthday's formatting, each of the snapshots take place during specific birthdays, emphasizes the fact that time can seem endless or fast. It's a look into growing up and, well, fate. Russo takes the familiar formula of YA contemporary and pens the perfect love letter in the process. Birthday is unforgettable and, frankly, one of the best books of 2019. 

With such a powerful message and two fantastic lead characters, you really can't go wrong. 


  As a note, there are slurs in here that will make specific people uncomfortable. Proceed with caution, if you are triggered by homophobic slurs and such. They are used in a context that mirrors real life and it may be harmful to some.

Birthday A Novel

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