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Book Cover for: Pretend You Love Me, Julie Anne Peters

Pretend You Love Me

Julie Anne Peters

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.

Book Details

  • Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
  • Publish Date: May 10th, 2011
  • Pages: 304
  • Language: English
  • Edition: undefined - undefined
  • Dimensions: 8.20in - 5.40in - 1.00in - 0.60lb
  • EAN: 9780316127417
  • Recommended age: 13-17
  • Categories: LGBTQ+ - GeneralRomance - LGBTQ+Girls & Women

About the Author

Julie Anne Peters is the critically acclaimed author of Define "Normal, " Keeping You a Secret, Pretend You Love Me, Between Mom and Jo, She Loves You, She Loves You Not..., It's Our Prom (So Deal With It), and Luna, a National Book Award finalist.

Praise for this book

"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