4.75/5⭐
Content warnings: abuse, homophobia, substance abuse.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This memoir is deeply honest, vulnerable, and raw. The author does not shy away from the immense pain that shaped his life, and that unflinching openness makes this a powerful yet emotionally difficult read.

My only critique, if I'd even call it such, lies in how the book handles forgiveness. While I appreciated that the memoir ends with the author discovering a path toward forgiveness, that portion of the story felt surprisingly brief—only a couple of chapters—and leaned more heavily on spiritual relief than I had anticipated. That said, I found the author’s perspective on forgiveness being easier once an abuser is no longer alive to be especially compelling. It helped me better understand why my own sense of forgiveness feels so difficult and unresolved.

One of the most emotionally resonant moments for me was the scene with the author’s father on his deathbed. It was painfully relatable—particularly the sudden expression of love from a parent who was never emotionally open before. That moment rang deeply true and stayed with me long after finishing the book.

Despite my initial reservations about the ending, this memoir is a courageous and heart-wrenching exploration of trauma, survival, and self-understanding. I am glad I read it, and I think it will resonate strongly with readers who value emotional honesty.