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Pretend You Love Me
A poignant novel about queer identity from National Book Award finalist Julie Anne Peters.
Mike (real name: Mary Elizabeth) is gay and likes to pump iron, play softball, and fix plumbing. In addition to her identity, Mike is struggling to come to terms with her father's suicide and her mother's detachment from the family. When a glamorous new girl, Xanadu, arrives in Mike's small Kansas town, Mike falls in love at first sight. Xanadu is everything Mike is not: cool, confident, feminine, sexy…and straight.
Originally published under the title Far From Xanadu, this heartbreaking yet ultimately hopeful novel will speak to anyone who has ever fallen in love with someone who can't love them back.
Mike (real name: Mary Elizabeth) is gay and likes to pump iron, play softball, and fix plumbing. In addition to her identity, Mike is struggling to come to terms with her father's suicide and her mother's detachment from the family. When a glamorous new girl, Xanadu, arrives in Mike's small Kansas town, Mike falls in love at first sight. Xanadu is everything Mike is not: cool, confident, feminine, sexy…and straight.
Originally published under the title Far From Xanadu, this heartbreaking yet ultimately hopeful novel will speak to anyone who has ever fallen in love with someone who can't love them back.
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Praise
"Another gem in Peters' string of literary treasures."
—VOYA
"Excellent characterization makes this piece shine."
—Kirkus Reviews
"Readers will root for Mike in this heartfelt coming-of-age story."
—School Library Journal
"There's no arguing with the honest intensity of Mike's emotions. Readers will wish her heartsease."
—Booklist