The Space Between - by Jenny Porter (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

In rural Queensland, Alex O'Brien has grown up being seen as the "good" Catholic child - compliant, faithful, and shaped by expectations that leave little room to breathe. The path ahead has always seemed decided by others, leaving Alex quietly wondering where their own voice fits.

Boarding school in Brisbane offers distance - and with it, the space for new questions. Away from home, Alex begins to encounter honesty, connection, and the unsettling realisation that the person others believe them to be doesn't fully reflect who they are inside.

Between who they have been and who they are becoming lies a fragile, transformative space - one that holds both uncertainty and possibility.

This is a gentle, affirming coming-of-age story that explores identity, belonging, faith, and family. It centres the experience of discovering and expressing a gender identity beyond traditional expectations, and the courage it takes to live authentically.

Content note: This book includes LGBTQIA+ themes, including a non-binary protagonist (they/them pronouns), first love, engagement with religious beliefs, and mild references to underage substance use.