Mia Bloom is a communications major and specialist that uses her expertise to travel to meet diverse women and gender non-conforming individual. She is queer and loud about her identity. She begins her adventure looking for a sense of self and adopts habits to unlearn as she engages with different groups of people. I was hesitant at first as a Latina if I could trust Mia – but she truly makes the effort to learn people’s struggles and project those voices. She comes from a place that is actively trying to unlearn toxicity and showing the steps, it took her to get to the place she is today.
The memoir is a story about Mia but also a collection of interviews and photographs of the people she meets along the way. The map illustrations in between chapters were a terrific addition to really get a sense of how far along Mia was travelling through various chapters. Each chapter begins with a location and mileage numbers. The frustrations of living on the road come through as she learns she wants stability after spending much time on the road. The experience has lead her to find her voice, project marginalized voices, and find her identity.
The photo with her cat at the end was a cute addition and the photography included in the memoir is taken by the author herself. They are placed appropriately to accompany the stories she is telling along her travels. Mia’s diction is cutesy but eloquent and fits her personality throughout her narrative. A genuine voice speaking from the heart with their own voice. A queer narrative for people who stray from social norms to speak on their hearts and passions. My only gripe with this memoir is that we did not get more of Mia’s voice through her interactions with others! Thank you Netgalley and Indigo River Publishing for an advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely fell in love with this book. It’s a heartfelt, honest exploration of resilience, identity, and the power of real stories told by real people. The themes of healing and rediscovery resonated deeply with me. It’s about moving through pain without rushing, about finding joy without shortcuts or gimmicks. The way this book honors vulnerability while celebrating power and possibility is so refreshing and uplifting. This isn’t just a story to read; it’s one to live alongside. It’s a tribute to those who dare to bloom on their own terms, and I found myself inspired to do the same.