There are certain universal truths I believe. I was delighted to find this expressed so beautifully in IF I WAS YOUR GIRL by Meredith Russo. “You can have anything,” she said, “once you admit you deserve it.”

This is the story of Amanda Hardy. This is the story of being seen for who you really are and not what people think you are. This is the story of love and life and it was so utterly stunning, I couldn’t it put it down.

Amanda is the new girl in school. She wants nothing more than anyone else. To make friends, to make memories, to fit in. To be wanted and loved for who she is. Only Amanda has a secret and it eats at her. Can she trust her friends or the boy she’s falling for? The thing is, at her old school, Amanda was Andrew. Russo penned a ubiquitous story about feeling like an outsider in a world which is hard to trust.

I can’t even begin to recommend this book enough. It’s written by a woman who knows of what she speaks. IF I WAS YOUR GIRL has a strong voice which carries page to page. I read this whole thing today. I simply couldn’t stop once I started.

It was easy to relate to Amanda, to share in her pain and sorrow. But also to smile and hope for her and root for love. There are some tough subject matters including suicide, mental health, bullying, and domestic violence. I’ve talked in the past about suicide and the people I’ve lost to it in my life. It breaks my heart to think of anyone who’s too afraid to ask for help. Who doesn’t know how and only sees the darkness in this world. I’m so sorry.

If you are Trans and considering suicide, please click the link and call the Trans Lifeline US: 877-565-8860 Canada: 877-330-6366.

If you are LGBTQ and considering suicide, please click the link and call the Trevor Project  1-866-488-7386.

If you are suicidal at all, please click the link and call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline 1-800-273-8255

You are worth living for.

You are special.

It will get easier.