Nona Raines - His Kind of Woman

When Roy Girard went looking for Victor Varrano, he never expected a woman to answer the door. He soon discovers that Victor is now Venetia. Roy's startled, but even more surprised by his attraction to her. As they spend time together, he doesn't want to let her go. But she's sure to dump him when she learns his secret.
Venetia's falling hard and fast for Roy. But when she learns that his brother was the bully who tormented her in high school, she's shattered. She can't wrap her head around the fact that the man who made such amazing love to her could so completely betray her trust.

Comment: This will be a short comment. I knew about this story in Sonomalass's blog because she read it for the TBR challenge. I was impressed with the topic for I've never read a story with a Trans character as the main character and was curious to see it done.

The story focuses on Venetia, she used to be a man but after years of bullying and indecision, she took the step to change herself to what she always felt was her real "me" and the story starts not long after her transformation. Then comes Roy Girard looking for Victor, Venetia's old identity, to apologize in the name of his late brother who used to bully Victor. When they meet Venetia isn't sure of Roy's intentions are but she closes the door on him when he seems to ask too many questions about Victor. However, they meet again later and Roy saves Venetia from an aggression at a bar. What will happen after?

I was very impressed with this one, the story is short, just 60 pages, more or less, and of course the action doesn't occupy many pages...the author used a good technique to make the main character's relationship to develop through an extended period by saying "in the following months/weeks", whatever, which gives the reader a sense of time going by. I like this because otherwise everything would feel too fast and not believable at all.

Venetia and Roy have more in common than they think. But their relationship isn't just based on lust and friendship there are obstacles to overcome, namely psychological ones. Sonomalass said one of the best things for her was how Roy did research on Trans gender and sex change before developing his relationship with Venetia and that showed his care and concern. I agree, his character had some normal actions of doubt and fear, but deep down his goal was to respect Venetia above all and in turn it allowed the reader to respect him too. The intimacy scenes didn't seem bad, but I guess in a lengthier story that aspect could have been worked more slowly and with more feelings in the mix, for I assume people with fears and doubts about their new identities would face something more than what we see Venetia show when that time comes. At least I think they might from an emotional POV.

The end was sweet and cute but I've finished the story regretting it's novella status, because I think it had a strong enough base to be a bigger novel, with everything explored more. I'd have liked to see the feelings involved explored more, as the concept of human judgment, because everything was done smoothly here but the prejudice issues we saw in the story can't be only that...it saddened me Venetia'a sister didn't even want to talk to her...one sentence in all this stayed with me, when Venetia tells Roy her decision took time and psychologists told her to expect the loss of loved ones in the process. This is so sad and stupid...I feel for those who have to exchange one thing for the other... my prayers are with you all.
All, in all, a wonderful read, thanks to Sonomalass's post.
Grade: 8/10