ACT COOL By Tobly McSmith

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Act Cool by Tobly McSmith
Published by Quill Tree Books on 9/7/21
Genres: Contemporary, LGBT, Young Adult
Pages: 352
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
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Aspiring actor August Greene just landed a coveted spot at the prestigious School of Performing Arts in New York. There’s only one problem: His conservative parents won’t accept that he’s transgender. And to stay with his aunt in the city, August must promise them he won’t transition.

August is convinced he can play the part his parents want while acting cool and confident in the company of his talented new friends.

But who is August when the lights go down? And where will he turn when the roles start hitting a little too close to home?

Short and Sweet Review

*Trigger Warning: Dead naming, Misgendering, Suicidal thoughts

August is a transgender teenager who has just run away from his conservative parents home to stay in New York City with his more accepting aunt. August was accepted into the School of Performing arts and the only way he can stay is to promise his parents that he won’t transition.

August is our main character and I loved him. I also felt bad for him because he wasn’t able to be who he wanted to be. Whenever his parents called he had to act like a girl and at his new school he would play the cool guy.

August is in a new setting and he feels like he needs to play a role. I felt bad for August his parents weren’t supportive and they would keep referring to him as a she and using his dead name. I loved that August had his aunt who was supportive and welcomed him with open arms. August has a passion for acting so getting a spot in the School of Performing Arts was the best thing to happen for him. August met so many supportive people at school but he also had a problem because he put on the role of cool guy and some people saw through it and wanted the real August. We also see a lot of talk about transgender representation in broadway and August gets a starring role. The ending was great I love how August had a group of supportive people who loved him surrounding him during a time when he wasn’t sure of himself.

Act Cool was a an amazing book. August was a character that you felt for and wanted to be friends with!