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dark sad medium-paced

2.5 stars
I probably wouldn't have picked this up had I known that it was going to be a collection of advice wrapped in stories (maybe I just didn't read the pitch well-enough?). I thought it was going to be a collection of the author's life stories in a kind of memoir format, which I would have at least enjoyed. I could have done without the advice which, while well-meaning, felt like the author was too wrapped up in his own head and trying to write in a "literary" style for it to actually come across clearly. Also, I wish the letters that began each sections (which I would also have liked to read more of) weren't so abbreviated.

Well-written, poignant, and moving. Also a very quick read. 
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hectorc's review

4.0

I’ve been a fan of JP for quite some time now, and this collection of essays is just perfect from start to finish. Beautifully written, I just wish some essays were longer. 4.5 ⭐️

Thoughts

Don't let the cover of this one fool you. This is a heavy memoir. 

From the constant bullying to learning to understand who he was as a mixed Queer man, this book is filled with heartbreak. 

But there is also hope in him realizing that he doesn't need to be a stereotype of anything to be who he is. He can just be. He can wear the clothes he wants and eat the foods he wants and that doesn't make him any less Mexican or Queer. 

This was a really great memoir but check the trigger warnings before reading this one. 
emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced
adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

A really nice memoir :) The author might be visiting my school so I wanted to get read up, and this memoir honestly really touched me at some parts. Some of the writing was a little cringy for me but besides that, the insights were clear and memorable. I should still say though I found myself highlighting so many quotes!! The advice given is really specific and gives off like older sibling vibes 

A solid 3.5. Some stories had me choked up and felt really meaningful, others impacted me less. This was a solid read that had me smiling, chuckling and thinking a lot. I loved the LGBTQ+ identity exploration as a young sapphic myself.