Between Perfect and Real

Written by Ray Stoeve

Narrated by M.W. Cartozian Wilson

A moving YA debut about a trans boy finding his voice—and himself.

Dean Foster knows he’s a trans guy. He’s watched enough YouTube videos and done enough questioning to be sure. But everyone at his high school thinks he’s a lesbian—including his girlfriend Zoe, and his theater director, who just cast him as a “nontraditional” Romeo. He wonders if maybe it would be easier to wait until college to come out. But as he plays Romeo every day in rehearsals, Dean realizes he wants everyone to see him as he really is now––not just on the stage, but everywhere in his life. Dean knows what he needs to do. Can playing a role help Dean be his true self?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Apr 27, 2021
• ISBN: 9781705028377

Reviews for Between Perfect and Real

[Tiffani Smith · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

While this is an amazing look at what someone goes through while coming out as trans, I didn’t love the narrative of this story. You could just tell that by the way it was written, Dean would continue to get shit on throughout the whole book and at times it was a lot. There aren’t nearly enough books about transgender people though and their stories are important. I just wish Dean would have gotten a little bit of happiness.

[Edward Gracey · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I am in awe. This book truly has it all, discussion of proper binding techniques, realistic portrayal of trans people and the multitude of ways others react to us. Exploration, doubt, community. The end of this book made me cry simply because I'm so greatful that it exists for the next generation of people to grow up with.

[bookwyrmm_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A powerful novel that really shows the journey to self-discovery told from the POV of a trans boy.

[sennebec · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Satisfying story with a balance of bittersweet and feel-good. It it were a song, you'd hear the Stones singing 'Can't Always Get What You Want.' Definitely worth a place in any library caring about providing good fiction and support to LBGTQ teens.