A trained psychotherapist, Pelletier describes with precision the alienation and confusion he experienced as he navigated the conflict between his desires and his family. He's also candid about what he wanted and didn't get—from his mother and stepfather (and their church), from social services, and from his early lovers—and how that lack affected his decisions. This informative transparency will prove valuable to teens grappling with their own sexual orientation and will be helpful to their families, who should especially note the importance of LGBTQ+ community spaces.
Pelletier openly describes his challenges with intimate relationships, a by-product of being raped and his early life rejection, writing that “it was both comforting and suffocating to belong to someone. Part of me felt a sense of pride in my fight for independence, but the other part questioned if it was all for nothing. Maybe true independence was just an illusion.” Throughout, his honesty and even-handed sense of perspective, ability to frankly discuss his mistakes, and knack for vividly capturing the seamier side of hook ups, sex work, and drugs without resorting to lurid details or shrill judgment make this a thoughtful, searching, and ultimately inspiring work.
Takeaway: Open, optimistic memoir of coming out and perseverance.
Comparable Titles: Garrard Conley's Boy Erased, Scott Terry's Cowboys, Armageddon, and The Truth.
Production grades
Cover: B+
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A-
