The Princess of Baker Street is a book like I’ve never read before. I have read quite a few books, but nothing as beautifully hearbreaking as this one. I think this author did an amazing job with something as sensitive as this! Thanks to Xpresso Book Tours, the author and publisher for providing me an ARC to read and review!
The Princess of Baker Street
Mia Kerick
Published by: Harmony Ink Press
Publication date: January 22nd 2019
Genres: Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Young Adult
“Always wear your imaginary crown” is Joey Kinkaid’s motto. For years, Joey, assigned male at birth, led the Baker Street kids in daring and imaginative fantasy adventures, but now that they’re teenagers, being a princess is no longer quite so cool. Especially for a child who is seen by the world as a boy.
Eric Sinclair has always been Joey’s best friend and admirer—Prince Eric to Joey’s Princess Ariel—but middle school puts major distance between them. As Eric’s own life takes a dangerous turn for the worse, he stands by and watches as Joey—who persists in dressing and acting too much like a Disney princess for anybody’s comfort—gets bullied. Eric doesn’t like turning his back on Joey, but he’s learned that the secret to teenage survival, especially with and absent mother, is to fly under the radar.
But when Joey finally accepts who she is and comes to school wearing lip gloss, leggings, and a silky pink scarf, the bullies make her life such a misery that she decides to end it all. Eric, in turn, must decide who he really is and what side he wants to stand on… though no matter what he chooses, the consequences with be profound for both teens, and they’ll face them for years to come.
Is there a chance the two teens can be friends again, and maybe even more?
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Review
After reading the summary of this book, I never thought I would read the book that I did. The Princess of Baker Street is told by Eric. He’s in middle school and doesn’t have the easiest life at home. Ever since his grandmother moved to a home, things haven’t been the same. He’s just trying to stay under the radar, even if that means he can’t support his best friend who is being bullied daily.
Joey was always the princess of the street they lived on. During this story, Eric remembers different things from his childhood and how happy he was when he was around Joey. Joey was the princess of Baker Street. Everyone thinks Joey is a boy, but that’s not how he feels. As kids this was accepted, but since middle school, he is constantly bullied. Having a less than accepting father doesn’t help him any either.
This book was hard to read, because how Joey is treated is so cruel. And I think Eric is put in the spot a lot of kids are. Do you stand up for your friends? Or risk getting the bullies on you? Eric is barely surviving at home and he’s afraid someone will find out what’s going on. His mother has seemed to disappear. How can a 13 year old survive all on his own?
I felt so bad for Eric, trying to keep everything under control at an age that he shouldn’t have to. I loved that he slowly started hanging around with Joey again and how he wanted to protect him. Even though Eric shouldn’t have to do what he does, he’s so strong. Joey is so clear about how he feels. He’s not in the wrong body. I thought it was very brave he was so outspoken about his. I’m sure it’s hard in today’s society to be open about this part of your life.
Unfortunately this book is very realistic. I think this author did an amazing job writing these characters. I think it really shows the consequences of what bullying and neglect do. The Princess of Baker Street is a book I think high schoolers should really read. Maybe even in middle school. I was very happy with the ending of the book, even if it may not be how all stories end for children in Eric and Joey’s position. Kids should be educated, because not enough know the facts.
I’m normally not one for trigger warnings, but this is a book filled with a lot of sensitive subjects: abuse, neglect, bulying and attempted suicide.
Author Bio:
Mia Kerick is the mother of four exceptional children—one in law school, another a professional dancer, a third studying at Mia’s alma mater, Boston College, and her lone son, heading off to college. (Yes, the nest is finally empty.) She has published more than twenty books of LGBTQ romance when not editing National Honor Society essays, offering opinions on college and law school applications, helping to create dance bios, and reviewing scholarship essays. Her husband of twenty-five years has been told by many that he has the patience of Job, but don’t ask Mia about this, as it’s a sensitive subject.
Mia focuses her stories on the emotional growth of troubled people in complex relationships. She has a great affinity for the tortured hero in literature, and as a teen, Mia filled spiral-bound notebooks with tales of tortured heroes and stuffed them under her mattress for safekeeping. She is thankful to her wonderful publishers for providing her with an alternate place to stash her stories.
Her books have been featured in Kirkus Reviews magazine, and have won Rainbow Awards for Best Transgender Contemporary Romance and Best YA Lesbian Fiction, a Reader Views’ Book by Book Publicity Literary Award, the Jack Eadon Award for Best Book in Contemporary Drama, an Indie Fab Award, and a Royal Dragonfly Award for Cultural Diversity, a Story Monsters Purple Dragonfly Award for Young Adult e-book Fiction, among other awards.
Mia Kerick is a social liberal and cheers for each and every victory made in the name of human rights. Her only major regret: never having taken typing or computer class in school, destining her to a life consumed with two-fingered pecking and constant prayer to the Gods of Technology. Contact Mia at miakerick@gmail.com or visit at www.miakerickya.com to see what is going on in Mia’s world.
GIVEAWAY!
During this blog tour there is an international tour wide giveaway. You have the chance to win a $10 Amazon gift card. This giveaway ends on January 31st.
Tour Schedule
Today is the start of the tour and a lot of amazing blogs are participating this week. Click here to see what other blogs are posting about this amazing book!
I was so impressed by this book! Mia Kerick is definitely an author I will be keeping my eye on!
Great review, Candyce! This sounds like a very well written read with great characters, too! Glad you liked it!
Thank you! It was a beautiful book <3