Scan barcode
beths0103's review
4.0
Chasten and Pete Buttigieg made history as the first gay couple to enter national politics when Pete ran for president, but Chasten's story is equally as fascinating as Pete's, and made for an incredibly heartfelt and page-turning memoir.
emelialang's review
4.0
Chasten is one of the kindest people I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and it bleeds through his writing. He is endearing and funny but remains honest. The way he writes is captivating and at moments made me react out loud. Such a good read
amybarnes0007's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
deirdrelistens2books's review
4.0
Enjoyed getting the deets on his love story with Mayor Pete—excuse me, Secretary Pete. An easy and fast, pleasant listen via audiobook.
stevienotnicks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
I’m so sorry to say this, but I picked this up largely because I was interested to hear more about Pete’s presidential run. I’M SORRY, CHASTEN! YOU ARE GREAT ALL ON YOUR OWN!
I loved how candid he was with all aspects of life, including the fact that he didn’t finish college on the timeline that society expects of us. Any success story that balks at societal norms earns a top spot in my ratings. He let us into what it felt like for him growing up as a gay kid with internalized homophobia and how that colored his dating life. He was very open about how he felt being thrust into this surprising light as the spouse of a presidential candidate, a spot he never thought he’d be in.
…but I really loved hearing about his life with Pete, or Peter as apparently he’s known by those closest to him.
I always struggle with reviewing memoirs because who am I to tell someone else how to tell their story? That said, I’ve read a LOT of memoirs and Chasten’s delivery was so engaging. The writing was captivating, but also he narrated with such personality I felt like he was actually talking to me.
I know this is an old one, but if you’ve not read this one yet, definitely recommend adding to your TBR!
I loved how candid he was with all aspects of life, including the fact that he didn’t finish college on the timeline that society expects of us. Any success story that balks at societal norms earns a top spot in my ratings. He let us into what it felt like for him growing up as a gay kid with internalized homophobia and how that colored his dating life. He was very open about how he felt being thrust into this surprising light as the spouse of a presidential candidate, a spot he never thought he’d be in.
…but I really loved hearing about his life with Pete, or Peter as apparently he’s known by those closest to him.
I always struggle with reviewing memoirs because who am I to tell someone else how to tell their story? That said, I’ve read a LOT of memoirs and Chasten’s delivery was so engaging. The writing was captivating, but also he narrated with such personality I felt like he was actually talking to me.
I know this is an old one, but if you’ve not read this one yet, definitely recommend adding to your TBR!
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia and Sexual assault
adverb's review
5.0
I'm giving a coveted 5-stars to this book. A rare look at the life of a non-political candidate thrust into the political world.
dr_winslow's review
5.0
A hilarious, authentic, and transparent reflection by Chasten on the path his life has taken. This isn't a political autobiography; it's an attempt to say, 'Here I Am, As I Am.' Love it.
sophierenee's review against another edition
5.0
All around a great book and exciting seeing the behind the scenes of the election. It was also interesting hearing about Chastens upbringing! As a midwesterner I relate to a good amount of what he talks about. Loved this book and that he did the narration for the audiobook.
kathywadolowski's review against another edition
4.0
Chasten is an INCREDIBLY relatable author and narrator, and it was a pleasure to know his story in his own words. I read Pete Buttigieg's memoir, "Shortest Way Home," last year, and reading this book (though its events extend a couple years later) was an incredible complement to that reading experience; it's really remarkable that two people with such different paths in life could meet and work the way these two do.
Though I can't relate to every aspect of Chasten's experience, his reactions to things and feelings of frustration when he can't seem to figure things out was so validating. A lot of times, when you read memoirs/autobiographies, even when the subject says something like that they seemingly do fall into the right thing quite quickly afterward. But I appreciate that, for Chasten, this aimlessness wasn't just a blip on his timeline but a really pervasive theme of his life. So when he said to keep trying, striving, and working toward something (even if you're not sure what that something will turn into), his advice really hits home because you know it's authentic to his experience rather than something he's just saying.
His explanation of campaign life was very engaging and probably my favorite part to read, as it's rare to hear about this whirlwind from the *spouse* of a candidate rather than the candidate themselves or the candidate's biographer. But ultimately, the most moving aspect was hearing the way he talked about Peter; the love transcended the page and made me smile.
Though I can't relate to every aspect of Chasten's experience, his reactions to things and feelings of frustration when he can't seem to figure things out was so validating. A lot of times, when you read memoirs/autobiographies, even when the subject says something like that they seemingly do fall into the right thing quite quickly afterward. But I appreciate that, for Chasten, this aimlessness wasn't just a blip on his timeline but a really pervasive theme of his life. So when he said to keep trying, striving, and working toward something (even if you're not sure what that something will turn into), his advice really hits home because you know it's authentic to his experience rather than something he's just saying.
His explanation of campaign life was very engaging and probably my favorite part to read, as it's rare to hear about this whirlwind from the *spouse* of a candidate rather than the candidate themselves or the candidate's biographer. But ultimately, the most moving aspect was hearing the way he talked about Peter; the love transcended the page and made me smile.