A review by deenzy
¡Hola Papi!: How to Come Out in a Walmart Parking Lot and Other Life Lessons by John Paul Brammer

2.0

This was a book where I was drawn in by the cover as I was stalking Netgalley. I expected this to be a guileless, airy, unsubstantial memoir of a Mexican-American gay man's adventures as he leaves behind rural Oklahoma for New York. I have never heard of the Hola Papi advice column, so I went into this pretty blind. It was surprisingly introspective, thoughtful, and well written. Brammer covers a slew of topics from trying to fit in as a Mexican American with little sense of heritage, to his experiences with the gay dating scene, to accepting past versions of yourself, even if they make you cringe in retrospect. I did think some of the essays were a little disjointed and a touch naïve for my taste (but that's a personal view). I thought he came across as really young and lacked a bit of gravitas I was looking for. A quick read that reminded me vaguely of [b:The Groom Will Keep His Name: And Other Vows I've Made About Race, Resistance, and Romance|52595434|The Groom Will Keep His Name And Other Vows I've Made About Race, Resistance, and Romance|Matt Ortile|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1571696630l/52595434._SY75_.jpg|73674654].

2.5 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC of this in exchange for an honest review.