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megkoz's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Transphobia
Moderate: Misogyny, Medical trauma, Homophobia, Dysphoria, Death of parent, Mental illness, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Abortion, Religious bigotry, Grief, Colonisation, Bullying, Racism, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Chronic illness and Suicidal thoughts
parenthesis_enjoyer's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Medical content, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Religious bigotry, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Bullying, Body shaming, Death, Sexual content, Xenophobia, Transphobia, Dysphoria, Death of parent, Grief, Misogyny, Outing, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Child abuse, Classism, Physical abuse, and Homophobia
Minor: Colonisation, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Drug abuse
amberinpieces's review against another edition
4.0
Minor: Grief, Death of parent, Bullying, Sexual content, Medical content, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Transphobia, Misogyny, Alcohol, Sexism, Vomit, Body shaming, Racism, and Lesbophobia
ohyeah_karyn's review
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Transphobia, Homophobia, Outing, Alcohol, Colonisation, Abortion, Cursing, Death of parent, Grief, Abandonment, Death, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
bandysbooks's review
5.0
I will say that there were some moments in this book that were very hard to read, but they are meant to be that way. When Geena is trapped into hiding her identity by the fear of losing her career, it feels like a gut punch. You want her to be able to be open and honest about who she is, but you also understand the risks that come with that honesty. Its heartbreaking and frustrating.
I also really loved the way that this book compared perspectives on Trans people in The Philippines versus in the United States. It was interesting that in The Philippines there was no legal recourse for gender or identity changes, but generally there is social acceptance where as in the US, there is legal recognition, but existing comes with the potential of physical danger, loss of jobs, and discrimination. We often think of the US as quite progressive, but this really highlighted how in a lot of ways we're still quite far behind.
And I loved the representation of Filipino culture in this book too. I grew up in a predominantly Filipino neighborhood in the States, so for me elements of this book reminded me a bit of home. In particular, I love the discussion of the role of Catholicism alongside Trans acceptance culturally. The discussion of beauty pageants as a national sport was also amusing/interesting.
All in all, if you want a look inside the world of modeling and pageantry, deep understanding of one individual Trans experience, and a bit of Filipino culture, you'll likely find this book enjoyable. Rocero is an excellent speaker and storyteller and her voice makes this a very enjoyable memoir.
*Thank you to Netgalley, Geena Rocero, and Random House for the E-ARC of this book. Reception of an ARC in no way affects the objectivity of my review.
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Transphobia, Dysphoria, Sexual content, and Medical trauma
Additional Trigger Warning: Not sure exactly how to phrase this, but a large portion of this book deals with Rocero having to hide her Trans identity.