REVIEW: Something Like Gravity

Something Like Gravity by Amber Smith
Published by Margaret K. McElderry Books on June 18, 2019
Pages: 400
Goodreads

For fans of Love, Simon and Eleanor and Park, a romantic and sweet novel about a transgender boy who falls in love for the first time—and how first love changes us all—from New York Times bestselling author Amber Smith.

Chris and Maia aren’t off to a great start.

A near-fatal car accident first brings them together, and their next encounters don’t fare much better. Chris’s good intentions backfire. Maia’s temper gets the best of her.

But they’re neighbors, at least for the summer, and despite their best efforts, they just can’t seem to stay away from each other.

The path forward isn’t easy. Chris has come out as transgender, but he’s still processing a frightening assault he survived the year before. Maia is grieving the loss of her older sister and trying to find her place in the world without her. Falling in love was the last thing on either of their minds.

But would it be so bad if it happened anyway?

From the moment the meet Maia and Chris click. Both having been through hardships for different reasons they have let themselves becoming fairly isolated socially. The moment they meet is also interesting as Chris almost runs Maia over with his car. Despite the awkward beginning however they start to build a tentative friendship. At first they keep their biggest secrets to themselves. Maybe not wanting to scare the other one off or out of fear of being judged but as time goes on they grow closer.

This novel was definitely the sweet romance that it was advertised to be with a bit of a twist due to the fact that Chris is transgender. I think the subject matter was handled well by the author and did not take away from the book in any way. I think that stories like this one need to be told more often because for every story out in the world there are people who can identify with it. It’s important that folks from all walks of life are represented in the media in a kind and loving way. It is what makes us all different that makes us beautiful.

I give it a solid 4 out of 5!