Meet Eric and Morgan.

Born on the same day, at the same time, in the same place. They’ve always shared this one day together, but as they grow up they begin to grow apart.

Everyone expects Eric to get a football scholarship, but no one knows he’s having second thoughts.
Former quarterback Morgan feels utterly alone, as she wrestles with the difficult choice to live as her true self.

Both of them are struggling to be the person they know they are. Who better to help than your best friend?

Told on one day every year, over six years, this is a story about how change pulls people apart… and how love brings them back together.

An LGBTQ+ YA One Day perfect for fans of Love, Simon, Birthday is a beautiful love story by the best-selling #ownvoices author of If I Was Your Girl.

“In a flash, I see a hundred memories. His hair blowing in his face, or him dangling from a tree branch and pulling it behind his ear, or him laughing and whipping it carelessly to one side, or…. so many other times. I’d never realized it until now. That long hair makes my heart stop.”

I’ve been dying to read this since I’ve heard about it and it’s the only reason why I wanted to purchase the Illumicrate box. I knew this book was going to open my eyes and my heart and I wasn’t wrong. It was heartbreaking and deeply beautiful.

Morgan and Eric share the same birthday. On the day that they were born, there was a snowstorm that shut down their small town and their families became fast friends. Every year they spend their birthdays together and celebrate.

This book starts on their thirteenth birthday. Morgan’s Mom passed away and she left her a letter and gift for the birthdays that she won’t see. But things don’t change, Morgan and Eric spend the day together but Morgan is carrying a lot of weight on her shoulders. She thought she was going to finally tell Eric the truth but it just won’t come out.

As birthdays pass, they slowly start to grow apart. Football, family, and other friends start to drive a wedge between them. Morgan and Erics lives become a downward spiral and only they can save each other.

As they both struggle to become the real person they are on the inside, will they let change break their bond? Or will love be their guide to bring them back together?

This book travels through the lives of Eric and Morgan from the age of 13-18 for one day a year. As each year passes, the more drama follows them. Some secrets are kept, friendships break apart, and dark family issues come to light. It was amazing. Eric and Morgan are two delightful and heartbreaking teens who live through rough times but make you instantly fall in love with them.

Birthday was a book that touched me deeply. This reaches into your chest and grabs your heart. It was such a beautiful story of an unbreakable friendship and the bond Morgan and Eric share is just amazing. There were scenes that were hard to swallow but it made the story that much more powerful. This is one brave book that I won’t easily forget.

Happy Reading!