May The Best Man Win

A transgender teen competes against his ex-boyfriend in their high school's race for student body president. Jeremy Harkiss is determined to prove himself as a leader and win back his ex Lukas Rivers, even as he navigates coming out at school and dealing with discrimination. The campaign forces both Jeremy and Lukas to confront their past relationship and their current identities. Jeremy works to be seen as his authentic self while pursuing his political ambitions, while Lukas grapples with his own sexuality and what it means for his future. Between campaign events, school traditions, and personal revelations, the election becomes about more than just student government. The story explores themes of identity, self-acceptance, and the courage to live openly in a world that isn't always accepting. This YA contemporary novel tackles questions of gender, sexuality, and what it means to truly see and understand both yourself and others. Through the lens of a high school election, it examines how people grow, change, and learn to stand up for who they are.

Readers highlight the authentic portrayal of transgender teen experiences and complex character dynamics. The story addresses transphobia, mental health, and competition while maintaining moments of humor and hope. Liked: - Realistic depiction of trans masculine identity and transition process - Complex relationships between main characters - Balance of serious topics with lighter moments - Strong emotional core Disliked: - Some found the romance subplot predictable - Several readers noted pacing issues in the middle sections - A few reviewers felt secondary characters needed more development - Critiques about repetitive internal monologues Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (3,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (230+ ratings) BookTok: Frequently recommended in trans YA literature lists One reader noted: "The competitive cheerleading backdrop adds unique tension to the transgender narrative without overshadowing it." Another mentioned: "Jeremy's anxiety feels real but sometimes the overthinking slows the story."

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🏳️‍⚧️ The author, ZR Ellor, began writing this novel while he was in the process of his own gender transition, lending authenticity to the main character Jeremy's experiences as a transgender teen. 🏈 The book challenges traditional high school sports narratives by featuring a transgender athlete competing for the position of football team captain. 💕 The romance between Jeremy and Lukas is one of the first YA novels to feature a relationship between a transgender boy and a bisexual boy. 📚 The story tackles multiple intersecting themes including gender identity, neurodiversity (through Lukas's character who has ADHD), and the complexities of high school social hierarchies. 🎭 The novel's title plays on multiple levels - referring both to the competition for team captain and the traditional wedding phrase, while also subtly commenting on society's concepts of masculinity and "being a man."