The One True Me and You by Remi K. England - Sheaf & Ink

“A perfect mix of beauty pageant and fanfic, this gem of a book, The One True Me and You, is about the sometimes scary path to finding yourself and the need to take bold risks for happiness. Be ready for your heart to melt over Kay and Teagan.”
Sheaf & Ink

The Story

From the publisher:

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. And 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?

My Review: The One True Me and You

When you think of beauty pageant you may be having that cringe worthy, no thank you, I don’t support the objectification of girls and women. And I get where your train of thought is going. Though, in The One True Me and You, England’s version of beauty pageants is a much more tamed and more inclusive one than what we’ve seen in the past.

Yes, there is still that one girl (North Carolina) that you want thrown out of the competition the moment her mouth opens, but England gives a new image for the competition itself. And having Teagan in the lead role, makes the reader step back and look at this from a new and refreshing lens.

One that makes it more about the overall person not their body.

And England does not sugar coat beauty pageants. Readers will still be very much aware there is still a lot of progress to be made regarding inclusivity, diversity, body positivity, among other things. But I like how England makes it a point that this is something girls can enjoy.

A Few Last Thoughts

Likewise, we see the beauty of the fanfic community.

I felt the joy, the love, and the sheer family of all those involved. From Kay’s friends to the fanfic writers and panelists themselves. It was this infectious energy everyone created, like a new born sun, radiating this warmth you can’t help but be drawn too. It’s a place that feels like home. A place that makes you feel like you belong.

And most importantly, it is Kay’s own personal self-discoveries that makes this novel such a compelling read.

Empowering, inspiring, and a romance readers will eat up, you definitely won’t want to miss this book.

Happy Reading – Cece

RATING: – Exceptionally Inked

CONTENT ADVISORIES: The One True Me and You

The One True Me and You addresses the following topics that you may want a heads up about:

○ Gender dysphoria: Kay is exploring their gender identity and expresses some gender-related discomfort at times. There is one instance of microagressions from their mother. Ultimately, they are happy being nonbinary and feel comfortable coming into their identity and celebrating who they are.

○ Death of a parent by suicide (off-screen, before the story): Teagan experiences the loss of her mother as a child. This death by suicide resulted in the character going to therapy and ultimately pursuing art therapy as a future career. A pageant judge springs a question about it on her during her pageant interview.

○ Homophobia and transphobia: The “villain” (inasmuch as there is a villain) makes a few anti-LGBTQ+ comments. Teagan hides her identity because of the general anti-queerness of the pageant world. The overall tone of the book is light and LGBTQ+ positive and affirming, though.