As a big fan of England, I knew I had to read The One True Me and You. And then I found out it was going to be queer AND set at a convention and I was hooked. Talk about a whole mix of some of my absolute favorite elements. Keep reading this book review for my full thoughts.
Summary
One small fandom convention. One teen beauty pageant.
One meet cute waiting to happen.
Up and coming fanfic author Kaylee Beaumont is internally screaming at the chance to finally meet her fandom friends in real life and spend a weekend at GreatCon. She also has a side quest for the weekend:
Try out they/them pronouns to see how it feels
Wear more masculine-presenting cosplay
Kiss a girl for the first time
It’s… a lot, and Kay mostly wants to lie face down on the hotel floor. Especially when her hometown bully, Miss North Carolina, shows up in the very same hotel. But there’s this con-sponsored publishing contest, and the chance to meet her fandom idols… and then, there’s Teagan.
Pageant queen Teagan Miller (Miss Virginia) has her eye on the much-needed prize: the $25,000 scholarship awarded to the winner of the Miss Cosmic Teen USA pageant. She also has secrets:
She loves the dresses but hates the tiaras
She’s a giant nerd for everything GreatCon
She’s gay af
If Teagan can just keep herself wrapped up tight for one more weekend, she can claim the scholarship and go off to college out and proud. If she’s caught, she could lose everything she’s worked for. If her rival, Miss North Carolina, has anything to do with it, that’s exactly how it’ll go down.
When Teagan and Kay bump into one another the first night, sparks fly. Their connection is intense—as is their shared enemy. If they’re spotted, the safe space of the con will be shattered, and all their secrets will follow them home. The risks are great… but could the reward of embracing their true selves be worth it?
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
TW: transphobia, homophobia
I knew I was going to love The One True Me and You from the beginning. Queer plus nonbinary MC and LI?! Talk about a match made in heaven. Not only that, but The One True Me and You features the terror, and joys, of being seen, how expectations can take over, and the importance of friendship. Immediately this convention space made my heart so happy! At the same time, England continuously stresses the power of finding our people. Of the friendships which hold us up and give us strength.
While also never sugar coating the fears of being outted or how we have to compromise our dreams and openness for safety and opportunity. The One True Me and You is a love letter to the positives of fandom. To being united in a love of something larger than ourselves and finding a community. It’s also a love story. The romance story line was seriously swoony and it made my heart so happy. I loved how Kay and Tegan’s connection. How they can see each other and these pieces of ourselves we conceal.
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Combined with the side characters – who were absolute cinnamon rolls – I loved The One True Me and You. The fandom, the convention and cosplay touches are fabulous! There are also splashes of fear, doubt, and vulnerability as they face being outted. As a whole, this book was precious and heart warming in every sense. 100% recommend for YA contemporary romance fans and those who love fandom! Find The One True Me and You on Goodreads, Amazon, Indiebound, Bookshop.org & The Book Depository.
This one sounds so good! And I love the whole setting of a convention, that always makes we want to read a book. Great review!