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ssgcedits's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Lesbophobia, Mental illness, Rape, Gaslighting, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, and Body shaming
Moderate: Fatphobia, Religious bigotry, and Misogyny
caitlindee's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
**Thank you to the author for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review!**
Becoming Shameless is an unflinchingly raw, real, and vulnerable memoir. Reminiscent of "I'm Glad My Mom Died," it doesn't shy away from difficult and 'taboo' topics such as verbal abuse, eating disorders, homophobia, and the experience of living with a narcissistic mother. It is a short and quick read but written in a way that allowed me to connect to the story almost from the first few pages. It was heartbreaking to read about Eden's experiences and abuse but hopeful in the way she portrays her journey of healing. I can only hope more people will become empowered to share their own experiences and efforts to heal and move forward.
I definitely found myself relating to Eden's struggle with internalized homophobia and how the community she found on Tumblr helped her to discover who she truly was and live an authentic life without shame. For all of Tumblr's faults, a significant thing that it has always seemed to provide is a community for those of us who feel "othered," and sometimes don't even know why. It's a safe space for us to explore things that we're afraid of, especially anything related to sexuality and gender. I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one who was able to find that for themselves through Tumblr.
If you're looking for some new nonfiction or memoirs to check out, I'd definitely put this one on the list!
Becoming Shameless is an unflinchingly raw, real, and vulnerable memoir. Reminiscent of "I'm Glad My Mom Died," it doesn't shy away from difficult and 'taboo' topics such as verbal abuse, eating disorders, homophobia, and the experience of living with a narcissistic mother. It is a short and quick read but written in a way that allowed me to connect to the story almost from the first few pages. It was heartbreaking to read about Eden's experiences and abuse but hopeful in the way she portrays her journey of healing. I can only hope more people will become empowered to share their own experiences and efforts to heal and move forward.
I definitely found myself relating to Eden's struggle with internalized homophobia and how the community she found on Tumblr helped her to discover who she truly was and live an authentic life without shame. For all of Tumblr's faults, a significant thing that it has always seemed to provide is a community for those of us who feel "othered," and sometimes don't even know why. It's a safe space for us to explore things that we're afraid of, especially anything related to sexuality and gender. I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one who was able to find that for themselves through Tumblr.
If you're looking for some new nonfiction or memoirs to check out, I'd definitely put this one on the list!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Body shaming, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Rape, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Homophobia
Moderate: Eating disorder
kerrygetsliterary's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Gaslighting, Lesbophobia, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Fatphobia, Rape, Sexual assault, Body shaming, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Physical abuse
chloereadds's review
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, and Eating disorder
Moderate: Lesbophobia, Sexism, Biphobia, Physical abuse, and Homophobia
Minor: Ableism
ccwingreads's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
Thank you to the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Eden takes the reader through her life in a memoir that unfurls the emotional, verbal, and physical abuse she suffered at the hands of her mother. The consequences of this abuse permeate her life, and greatly affect her sense of self-worth.
The first chapters read like you're right there with her and in the mindset she had at the time. There were many moments where I was willing her to realize the abuse for what it was. It isn't until the later chapters where there is realization and a journey towards healing. In that journey, there is hope. The book also has some very powerful statements about not having to forgive your abusers.
For such a short memoir, it is a rollercoaster of emotions. It is honest and unflinching. It is pretty to-the-point, which made it a quick but compelling read. Please be aware of triggers going into this including sexual assault, eating disorders, and homophobia (external and internal).
I've also never wanted to rip apart the Enneagram more in my life.
I'm grateful I was given the opportunity to read a self-published work especially one where the author bares her soul. If you can handle the subject matter, it is a read I recommend!
Eden takes the reader through her life in a memoir that unfurls the emotional, verbal, and physical abuse she suffered at the hands of her mother. The consequences of this abuse permeate her life, and greatly affect her sense of self-worth.
The first chapters read like you're right there with her and in the mindset she had at the time. There were many moments where I was willing her to realize the abuse for what it was. It isn't until the later chapters where there is realization and a journey towards healing. In that journey, there is hope. The book also has some very powerful statements about not having to forgive your abusers.
For such a short memoir, it is a rollercoaster of emotions. It is honest and unflinching. It is pretty to-the-point, which made it a quick but compelling read. Please be aware of triggers going into this including sexual assault, eating disorders, and homophobia (external and internal).
I've also never wanted to rip apart the Enneagram more in my life.
I'm grateful I was given the opportunity to read a self-published work especially one where the author bares her soul. If you can handle the subject matter, it is a read I recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Emotional abuse, and Eating disorder
Moderate: Sexual assault and Physical abuse
sarahmcg's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Thank you to the author for the eARC and opportunity to read her memoir ahead of the release date, 2/22/23!
This memoir detailed Eden’s life, initially from the perspective of her young childhood self. She had a complicated relationship with her mother who would berate her for the smallest perceived slights or mistakes, reminiscent of Jennette McCurdy’s account in her memoir, “I’m Glad My Mom Died.” The way Eden’s mother treated her broke my heart, but her storytelling was honest and compelling.
It was lovely to see how Eden progressed from living with her mom to getting out and away and slowly discovering more about her identity, self-worth, and sexuality, including coming out as a lesbian at 27 years old. There are some important perspectives on sexual assault, internalized homophobia, and binge eating disorder, so please be aware of those triggers/content warnings.
I loved to see her growth and takeaways at the end of the book, including finding a healthy relationship, going to therapy, and finding her passion as a body positive and LGBTQIA+ inclusive personal trainer. There are also a lot of fun music references to Jewel, Avril Lavigne, and P!nk :) oh and references to tumblr! I think Eden & I must be close in age (early 30’s).
Some notable quotes:
- “Hating my body hasn’t helped at all. If anything, the more I think about how wrong my body is, the more I want to binge until I can’t feel anything anymore. Maybe learning to like my body will be better.”
- “But no matter how much I empathize with her inner child, I have to honor my own.”
- “We are not things to be fixed. We were never broken.”
- “Sometimes, healing is just letting yourself be.”
This is a quick and honest memoir that I think you’d enjoy! Note: I don’t typically give a star rating to memoirs because they are so personal. But know that I felt honored to read & witness Eden’s story!
This memoir detailed Eden’s life, initially from the perspective of her young childhood self. She had a complicated relationship with her mother who would berate her for the smallest perceived slights or mistakes, reminiscent of Jennette McCurdy’s account in her memoir, “I’m Glad My Mom Died.” The way Eden’s mother treated her broke my heart, but her storytelling was honest and compelling.
It was lovely to see how Eden progressed from living with her mom to getting out and away and slowly discovering more about her identity, self-worth, and sexuality, including coming out as a lesbian at 27 years old. There are some important perspectives on sexual assault, internalized homophobia, and binge eating disorder, so please be aware of those triggers/content warnings.
I loved to see her growth and takeaways at the end of the book, including finding a healthy relationship, going to therapy, and finding her passion as a body positive and LGBTQIA+ inclusive personal trainer. There are also a lot of fun music references to Jewel, Avril Lavigne, and P!nk :) oh and references to tumblr! I think Eden & I must be close in age (early 30’s).
Some notable quotes:
- “Hating my body hasn’t helped at all. If anything, the more I think about how wrong my body is, the more I want to binge until I can’t feel anything anymore. Maybe learning to like my body will be better.”
- “But no matter how much I empathize with her inner child, I have to honor my own.”
- “We are not things to be fixed. We were never broken.”
- “Sometimes, healing is just letting yourself be.”
This is a quick and honest memoir that I think you’d enjoy! Note: I don’t typically give a star rating to memoirs because they are so personal. But know that I felt honored to read & witness Eden’s story!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Sexual assault
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